On a worldwide basis, South Africa leads the world in diamond production, with Russia in second place. Australian diamond production accounts for one third of world diamond production, but the relatively low quality of diamonds in the Argyle mines render this mine less valuable than several of the diamond operations in South Africa and Botswana.

Canadian diamond exploration remains at an early stage, with the potential for the discovery of world class diamond deposits remaining high when compared to such as South Africa or Botswana.

The exploration of Canadian diamonds, and the development of diamond deposits already found in the Northwest Territories, demonstrates the economic viability of diamond exploration throughout Canada. When coupled with the exhaustion of existing reserves in South Africa, the sustainability of a Canadian diamond industry is apparent.

It is anticipated that Canadian diamonds will be the world's third largest source of diamonds by 2006.