Chris Jennings discovers diamonds and changes Canada's mining history forever

In the 1990s, Chris Jennings, a prominent geologist, was involved in the search for diamond deposits in Canada. Following his previous experience with diamond mining in Botswana, where he was part of the 1967 discovery of a massive diamond pipe at Orapa, Jennings moved to Canada with the belief that the geologic conditions were favorable for similar findings. After working for Falconbridge Ltd. in Johannesburg, he was transferred to Toronto just as his diamond exploration project was canceled. This led him to seek opportunities in Canada’s winter staking rush. Eventually, during the 1990s, he was directly connected to a significant discovery of diamonds in the Northwest Territories, which positioned Canada as the third-largest diamond producer in the world. This discovery was a turning point not only for Jennings but also for Canada's mining industry, which gained global recognition for its diamond reserves. The collaboration between Jennings and other experts in the field resulted in robust exploration efforts that culminated in the discovery of rich deposits near the Diavik region, further driving interest and investment in Canada’s diamond mining sector. The significance of this finding drastically shifted the landscape of diamond mining, leading to increased economic development and job creation in the area, as well as positioning Canada as a leading player in the global diamond industry.