Diamond Fields International has appointed additional contractors for the final feasibility study for a mining operation at its 100-per-cent-owned sea diamond concessions near Luderitz, Namibia. The final feasibility study is expected to be completed in July at an estimated cost of $500,000 (U.S.).
In addition to Seacore Limited of the United Kingdom which is responsible for design and consultancy services for a viable mining system and support vessel, the following additional contractors and consultant appointments have been made:
AGRA Simons Limited, a division of AGRA Inc., has been appointed as the study manager responsible for the overall report preparation, co-ordination and technical review. MRDI, a wholly owned division of AGRA Simons will be responsible for mineral resource estimation. AGRA Inc. is Canada’s largest engineering and construction company. The study will be managed from the AGRA Simons office in the U.K. Andrew Winterbotham, a mechanical engineer with over 20 years experience in the engineering, mining, petrochemical and marine industries, will serve as the project manager.
Mr. Winterbotham is also a qualified naval architect and previously managed the scoping study for the Diamond Fields project.
Dowding Reynard Associates (DRA) has been appointed to provide design criteria, basic engineering and estimating services for the marine diamond processing plant, and security systems. DRA, based in South Africa, is a recognized leader in the design, supply and installation of diamond and mineral processing facilities.
Sue Lane and Associates (SLA) has been appointed as the environmental consultant responsible for preparation of the environmental management plan report (EMPR) for the proposed mining operation. SLA is a Cape Town-based environmental consultancy and previously prepared the EMPR for the Diamond Fields’ recently completed advanced sampling program.
Diamond Tenders Belgium (DTB) has been appointed to provide diamond industry overview, marketing strategy, and diamond pricing information. DTB, based in Antwerp, sells rough diamonds on behalf of third parties through a closed tender process and has handled recent diamond sales for Diamond Fields. Sales executed by DTB on behalf of Diamond Fields during 1999 yielded an average price of $160 (U.S.)/carat.
All the agreements have been made directly with Diamond Fields. The information data and analysis provided by these consultants and others will be supplemented by Diamond Fields’ geological, technical and management input. Mark Collins, Diamond Fields’ chief operating officer, is directing the feasibility study.
