As ramp-up to full production continues, the Diavik diamond mine in the Northwest Territories is processing kimberlite at rates ahead of planned levels.
Ore processed during the third quarter of 2003 improved to 74% of design capacity, with 1.47 million carats recovered from the treatment of 368,000 tonnes in the 3-month period. The mine plan called for a 2-year ramp-up period to reach a planned level of 1.5 million tonnes per year based on an operating availability of 76%.
Situated 300 km northeast of Yellowknife, Diavik is operated and 60%-owned by
The mine started up in early 2003 and has since recovered more than 2.7 million carats from 874,000 tonnes of processed kimberlite ore. During the summer, crews removed and processed most of the lower-grade, fine-grained kimberlite ash and mudstone lenses that cover the A-154 pipe. The diamond head grade is increasing as mining moves into the main orebody.
By year-end, the mine is expected to have produced 3.7 million carats of gem-quality rough diamonds from the processing of 1 million tonnes of kimberlite ore. Diavik’s four kimberlite pipes — A-154 South, A-154 North, A-418 and A-21 — contain proven and probable reserves of 27.1 million tonnes grading 3.9 carats per tonne, equivalent to 107 million carats valued in 2000 at US$62 per carat.
The mine life is pegged at 20 years.
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