Partners Diamond Fields International (DFI-T) and Trans Hex Group of South Africa have recovered more than 9,600 diamonds from their Luderitz Bay grant off the coast of Namibia.
The stones, which weigh more than 3,100 carats, were recovered during an ongoing trenching program at the Marshall Fork geological feature. This is one of two features to be mined. Previous projections suggested that together they could yield 675,000 carats over the expected seven-year operation. However, initial results are better than expected.
“Recovering over 3,1000 carats in the early stages of the commissioning program provides us with a high level of confidence for a successful mining program at Marshall Fork,” says Roger Daniel, Diamond Field’s director of operations.
Trans Hex is refitting a second vessel with conventional airlift mining technology and a 50-tonne-per-hour dense media separation plant. The addition is required under the agreement with Diamond Fields.
Trans Hex, which has been mining alluvial diamonds for more than 20 years, is managing the project. Diamond Fields will market any diamonds produced, though Trans Hex maintains a consulting role.
Resources at mining licence 111 are pegged at 6.1 million cubic metres containing 1.1 million carats (including 81% defined as probable reserves). A cutoff grade of 0.15 carat per sq. metre was applied.
Production in the first year is expected to exceed 65,000 carats.
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