Modern Mining May 2016

MINING News

Realising possibilities...

DiamondCorp expands Lace mining fleet DiamondCorp, which is developing the Lace diamond mine near Kroonstad in Free State Province, reports that it has acquired an additional four Sandvik 20-tonne underground dump trucks, two Sandvik 7-tonne underground loaders and two Sandvik single boom drill rigs. Three of the trucks have already been delivered to site but require moderate refurbishment before entering service. The fourth truck, two loaders and two drill rigs are nearly new, having completed less than 200 m of underground decline develop- ment at another South African non-diamond mining operation which was closed due to low commodity prices. Whilst representing an unplanned additional expenditure of approximately US$1 million, the total cost of the eight vehicles, including refurbishment of the three dump trucks, is approxi- mately a quarter of the price of new units at current exchange rates. DiamondCorp says the vehicles will allow it to achieve ton- nage ramp up to deliver 30 000 tonnes per month of kimberlite from the Upper K4 Block to the conveyor belt from July onwards. Taking into account the increase in bottom screen size in the plant from 1,00 mm to 1,25 mm, this production will put the company on schedule to produce in excess of 75 000 carats from kimberlite in 2016 and in excess of 125 000 carats in 2017.  “The improvement in operating performance comes on the back of a period of lower than expected grades and overall sales values from Holsloot and Remhoogte. Following the acquisition of the two operations and in spite of the constraints that continue to limit our ability to invest, we were able to construct and commission two in- field screening facilities at Holsloot and Remhoogte, which along with the implementation of our revised EMV strategy should increase throughput capability to a sustainable 180 000 m 3 per month. The recommissioning of a 200 000 m 3 operation at Wouterspan, which is making good progress, is another significant achievement which in time will more than replace Saxendrift and absorb many of the skills and equipment from there as well.”  ing period, the fourth quarter performance showed positive signs of recovery in spite of the continued overall weakness in global dia- mond pricing. MOR carat sales were down 42 % year-on-year, but encouragingly 22 % higher than in the third quarter at 4 925 carats. The value of MOR sales was up 34 % on the previous quarter at US$7,1 million but down 45 % on the equivalent quarter last year. The team at Saxendrift have done well to extend the operations there. Mining gravel at the Saxendrift property. Rockwell’s mining operation at the mine is now winding down.

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May 2016  MODERN MINING  17

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