Klipspringer Diamond Mine
- Full name:
- Klipspringer Diamond Mine project
- Mwana interest:
- Mwana holds 61% of the project. The interest was previously held by SouthernEra.
- Geology and history:
- The Klipspringer Diamond Mine in South Africa is located 250 km north of Johannesburg and 35 km south of Polokwane, the provincial capital of the Limpopo Province. The mine is a joint venture between Mwana (61%) and Naka Diamond Mining (Pty) Ltd (“Naka”) (39%), a Black Economic Empowerment company.
- The development of the Klipspringer Diamond Mine commenced in 2001 with the construction of a decline down to 7 level (160m) and was in full production by February 2003.In December 2003 the joint venture partners, made a decision to temporarily suspend the mining operations at the Klipspringer Joint Venture. This was due to the strength of the South African Rand. The joint venture’s operating costs were in Rands, while the diamond revenue was denominated in US Dollars and this resulted in the operation being unprofitable.
- During the third quarter of 2006 and throughout 2007 a trial mining and bulk sampling exercise was undertaken to try a new mining method and test market conditions. The mining method was changed to a more conventional underhand stoping method as opposed to the long hole open stoping method used in the initial mine design. The mine was re-engineered with the new mining method resulting in reduced tonnage along with a significant reduction in manpower and costs but designed to operate in a strong Rand environment. The trial mining programme was operated successfully and a decision was made to commence commercial production in December 2007.
- The results of underground mining and development on the Leopard Fissure have shown that the kimberlite is continuous and consistent mineralogically to at least No.7 level. Due to improved grade control measures introduced during the trial mining phase, dilution from external sources was reduced and resulted in an improvement in the mining grade. These improvements are reflected in the updated resource statement dated 31 December 2007 tabled below.
Resource statement as at 31 December 2007
| Resource Category | Mining Tonnes | Mining Grade (cpht) | Block Carats |
|---|
| Indicated Resources | | | |
| Ingwe Section | 450,000 | 58.3 | 262,000 |
| Ndau Section | 308,000 | 58.3 | 180,000 |
| Total | 758,000 | 58.3 | 442,000 |
| | | | |
| Inferred Resources | | | |
| Ingwe Section | 1,306,000 | 58.3 | 762,000 |
| Ndau Section | 2,058,000 | 58.3 | 1,200,000 |
| Total | 3,364,000 | 58.3 | 1,962,000 |
- At full production the mine plans to produce approximately 90 000 carats per annum and there will be a gradual increase in production during 2008 through to March 2009 when steady state production levels are envisaged. At these production rates the mine will have a life of approximately 5 years to a depth of 160m below surface (7 Level). The inferred resource below 7 Level to a depth of 500m below surface (15 Level) will provide for an additional 20 years of life. A number of alternatives to access the orebody between 7 and 15 level are currently being reviewed. The resource is open to depth below 15 level and strategy to define additional resources will be investigated in due course.
- Geological maps:
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