Key points
- The mv Ivan Prinsep mining vessel began a mining-trenching program at the Marshall Fork feature to test airlift technology across the joint venture area.
- Diamond recovery began 5.5 months ahead of the original schedule, which called for the first mining vessel to be in production by November 2001.
- Trans Hex is converting a newly purchased vessel, the mv Hex Liberty, which will use a 20-inch airlift and a 50-tonne-per-hour dense media separation plant.
- Diamond Fields’ principal geologist Randal Cullen said marine diamonds are historically 95 to 98 per cent gem quality, with last year’s prices ranging from $160 to $180 (U.S.) per carat.
More than 9,600 diamonds weighing in excess of 3,100 carats have been recovered in the initial five weeks of the commissioning phase from the Diamond Fields-Trans Hex Group of South Africa joint venture operations under way at the Marshall Fork feature, offshore Luderitz, Namibia. These results have exceeded expectations based upon previous sampling and resource estimations for the areas that are currently being tested with the mv Ivan Prinsep mining vessel. As part of the commissioning program the vessel has commenced a mining-trenching program in preparation for full-scale mining in the highly mineralized Marshall Forks feature. The purpose of the mining-trenching program is to assess how the airlift technology applies itself in the various geological and grade environments of the joint venture area.
Roger Daniel, Diamond Fields’ director of operations, states that, “Recovering over 3,100 carats in the early stages of the commissioning program provides us with a high level of confidence for a successful mining program at Marshall Fork.”
Under the original terms of the joint venture the first mining vessel was to be in production by November, 2001. With the early deployment of the mv Ivan Prinsep, diamond recovery began 5.5 months ahead of schedule. Trans Hex has purchased a new vessel, currently named the mv Hex Liberty, and is converting it into a fully operational mining vessel. The mv Hex Liberty will use the same proven airlift technology as the mv Ivan Prinsep, and will incorporate a 20-inch airlift and a 50-tonne-per-hour dense media separation plant to increase mining capacity.
“Marine diamonds are historically known to be of 95 to 98 per cent gem quality. This has been Diamond Fields’ experience from previous recoveries and sales from our Luderitz Bay sea diamonds project. Last year, prices for these diamonds ranged from $160 (U.S.) to $180 (U.S.) per carat,” states Diamond Fields’ principal geologist, Randal Cullen.
WARNING: The company relies upon litigation protection for “forward-looking” statements.
