Klipspringer Diamond Mine
- Full name:
- Klipspringer Diamond Mine project
- Mwana interest:
- Mwana holds 61% of the project.
- 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 (62%) and Naka Diamond Mining (Pty) Ltd (“Naka”) (38%), 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, caused principally by the strength of the South African rand.
- Following successful trials through 2006 and 2007, the mine was re-engineered and the underhand open stoping mining method introduced, resulting in a reduced tonnage but an improvement in grade and a reduction in the cost structure.
-
Production results for the period from April 2008 to March 2009
| Tonnes mined | 53,953 |
| Tonnes treated | 52,688 |
| Carats recovered† | 27,795 |
| Grade (cpht) | 52.75 |
† Carats recovered are prior to the acidisation process
-
Resource statement as at 31 December 2008
| Resource Category | Mining Tons (t) | Mining Grade (cpht) | Carats Recovered (cts) |
|---|
| Leopard Fissure |
|---|
| Indicated Resources (above 7 level) |
| Ingwe (East) | 428,000 | 58.3 | 249,500 |
| Ndau (West) | 276,000 | 58.3 | 161,000 |
| Total | 704,000 | 58.3 | 410,500 |
| Inferred Resources (below 7 level to 15 level †††) |
| Ingwe (East) | 1,307,000 | 58.3 | 762,000 |
| Ndau (West) | 2,058,000 | 58.3 | 1,200,000 |
| Total | 3,365,000 | 58.3 | 1,962,000 |
Notes:
† The tonnage estimate includes a 5% geological loss
†† cpht – carats per 100 tonnes
††† The orebody remains open to depth below 15 level
- Geological maps:
-
