The first diamond recoveries have been made from the company’s new seabed crawler Nam 2 on board vessel MV Ya Tolvo.
MV Ya Tolvo sailed to Namibia earlier this month to continue testing and integrating the three main aspects of the operation — the Nam 2 seabed crawler, the 100-ton-per-hour processing equipment and the vessel’s numerous supporting systems including the positioning and the Nam 2’s launch and recovery systems. Testing is being carried out in the Halifax basin feature of mining licence 36 in relatively easy mining conditions in sediments of approximately three metres deep.
While pumping seabed materials for the first time this week, Nam 2 mined uninterrupted for a period of 25 hours, clearing approximately 4,000 square metres or 15,000 cubic metres of seabed material. The first diamonds were picked this morning and processing will continue through the weekend.
“We are delighted to announce first diamond recoveries within two weeks of arriving in Namibia. The rapid progress made on testing this large-scale project has surpassed all our expectations,” said Namco’s chairman and chief executive officer Alastair Holberton. “We have every confidence that the design improvements of our second generation seabed crawler will reduce unit operating costs significantly.”
MV Ya Tolvo will continue commissioning in mining licence 36 for at least two months before relocating to mining licence 51.
Nam 2 is targeted to mine 1.5 million cubic metres of diamond-bearing material annually. The company expects a buildup in volumes recovered and area mined from the crawler as equipment is further tested and adjusted and as operator familiarity improves. The vessel’s crew work on a 28-day cycle with a new crew starting on Dec. 28. Allowing for this production buildup, Nam 2 is expected to recover 200,000 carats in 2001. Namco’s average realized diamond price for the year to date is $176 (U.S.) per carat.
“After a challenging year of construction and merger activity, we look forward to 2001 as a year of growth. The anticipated rate of return on the Ya Tolvo project is excellent, and our dedicated exploration program should lead to further new resource development,” said Mr. Holberton.
WARNING: The company relies upon litigation protection for “forward-looking” statements.
