DITR

💎 Diamonds in the Rough is calling.
Applications for our 2026 Training Camp & Competition Team are OPEN. (https://forms.gle/8j8xGDFbbMS3qeAEA)

This isn’t about comparison.
It’s about capability.
Confidence.
And showing that together, we are stronger.

🌍 International Mines Rescue Competition – Zambia
🗓 April 15–May 8, 2026 (TBC)
📩 [email protected]

We are looking for Canadian Indigenous women in mine rescue to join our program. If this is you, please inbox for further details.

Diamonds in the Rough Announces $100,000 Sponsorship from Rio Tinto/Diavik Diamond Mine

Diamonds in the Rough, an organization dedicated to supporting, empowering, and building capacity for women in the mining industry by encouraging participation in emergency response competitions, is thrilled to announce a generous $100,000 CAD sponsorship from Rio Tinto/Diavik Diamond Mine.

As part of this sponsorship agreement, female members of Diavik’s Emergency Response Team will join the Diamonds in the Rough mine rescue team for competitions, including the prestigious 2026 Mine Rescue World Championships in Zambia.

“We are incredibly grateful for Rio Tinto/Diavik’s support, which will help us continue our mission to advocate, inspire, and transform the mining industry,” said Kari Lentowicz founder of Diamonds in the Rough.

“Partnering with Diamonds in the Rough aligns with Diavik’s commitment to keeping safety first and building an inclusive and representative workforce that recognizes the importance of women as team members. These are values that continue to prevail as we work towards closing responsibly, and closing with care,” said Matthew Breen, Chief Operating Officer of Diavik Diamond Mine.

This contribution will be distributed over two years, with $50,000 provided in 2024 and the remaining $50,000 in 2025.

Rio Tinto

Colombia was one of the hardest competitions physically. But, DITR proved to be viable competitors and finished middle of the pack out of 22 teams. It was the experience of a lifetime and we’re so proud of the ladies for the grit they showed.

Special thanks to our sponsor who was instrumental in getting us to the 2024 International Mines Rescue Competition in Colombia. Their support and dedication to increasing in mining is key to sustainability in the field.

We are so proud to have Justine as part of our DITR family.

A huge thank you to our 2024 sponsor The Mosaic Company - Canada for making this happen and supporting women in mining.

Justine Fuchs is a Master Mine Operator at Esterhazy K3. She has been with for over 12 years, working in different departments!

Justine appreciates the opportunities she’s had while working at Mosaic, including the chance to join the Mine Rescue program. With her site team, she has completed three provincial competitions and has also competed with the all-women's Canadian mine rescue team, , in two international competitions.

During the International Mines Rescue Competition in Colombia, the 2024 Diamonds in the Rough participants had the pleasure of attending Drager night. Drager’s team hosted a fantastic evening and showcased testimonials to the importance and successes of rescue missions with Drager’s BG4 breathing apparatus.

Drager has been one of DITR’s biggest supporters since 2018. Thank you Drager for the support and for what you do to ensure we can do our job safely and effectively.

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2024 DITR competitors Amanda Brule and Kari Lentowicz with Dräger superstar Kent Armstrong at the trade show in Colombia during the 2024 IMRC. The women are wearing the new Drager Pro Air - a game changer in the mine rescue world when it comes to breathing apparatuses. Its sophisticated design is exactly what mine rescuers are looking for in reliable, comfortable, and easy to use life saving breathing apparatus.

Drager has been a huge supporter and sponsor of DITR since its start in 2018. Without their strong values around diversity, equity and inclusion, DITR would not be where we are today.

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Good luck to my girls this weekend in Colombia IMRC 2024. Wish I were there with you but we are all back here in Canada cheering you on. #imrc2024 #columbia #womenempowerment #minerescue @ditrmrt @thisiswhatimakeofit