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May 2016 MODERN MINING17
MINING News
WP ad 90x260.indd 1 2016/02/08 1:35
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. 
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.
“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 m3 per month. The
recommissioning of a 200 000 m3 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.” 
Mining gravel at the Saxendrift property. Rockwell’s mining operation at the
mine is now winding down.