The Financial Post reports in its Saturday edition that Chuck Fipke found the Ekati diamond deposit in 1991. The Post's Peter Koven writes that the Ekati find ended up in the hands of BHP Billiton in 2001, with Mr. Fipke maintaining 10-per-cent direct interest in the mine. Until now. On Wednesday, Mr. Fipke announced a deal to sell his Ekati interest to Dominion Diamond for $67-million (U.S.), subject to interest and certain adjustments during the past two years. Dominion is already the majority owner of the mine, having bought out BHP's interest last year. Mr. Fipke is now in his late 60s. The core zone of the Ekati mine is likely to run dry in about five years. The Post notes there will be environmental reclamation costs in the hundreds of millions of dollars to shut the mine down. Mr. Fipke would be on the hook for 10 per cent of that cost, which he said would be a large burden despite his wealth. At the same time, Dominion is hoping to extend the life of Ekati by developing a new kimberlite pipe called Jay. If that project goes ahead, the capital cost could come in at $1-billion (U.S.) or more. Again, Mr. Fipke would have to front 10 per cent of the cost and he was not keen on that prospect.