Marine diamond mining picks up

DIAMOND Fields International (DFI) has recorded improved diamond production after a seasonal downturn from marine diamond mining joint operations with Bonaparte Diamond Mines.

The company said marine diamond production from the JO mining area in DFI’s ML111 licence off Luederitz improved this month following the recoveries of the previous two months which were seasonally affected by winter conditions. Production for the month of September was 1 618 carats from 4 060 diamonds with an average size of 0,40 carats per stone because mining during that month was largely confined to a single airlift operation.”However, good progress has been made to return both mining systems to full availability for ongoing operations.Better recoveries are expected to continue in October as a result of improvements in both weather and mining capacity,” the company said.To September 30 2007, total production from the JO area stood at 16 245 carats from 37 963 diamonds at an average size of 0,43 carats per stone.The latest parcel of 1 271,27 carats was sold last week and realised US$272 637 at an average price of US$214,46 per carat.DFI also announced that commencement of the resource development sampling programme is scheduled for late October.The sampling vessel MV Douglas Bay, chartered by Bonaparte from De Beers Marine, is being mobilised in Cape Town for this very purpose.NampaProduction for the month of September was 1 618 carats from 4 060 diamonds with an average size of 0,40 carats per stone because mining during that month was largely confined to a single airlift operation.”However, good progress has been made to return both mining systems to full availability for ongoing operations.Better recoveries are expected to continue in October as a result of improvements in both weather and mining capacity,” the company said.To September 30 2007, total production from the JO area stood at 16 245 carats from 37 963 diamonds at an average size of 0,43 carats per stone.The latest parcel of 1 271,27 carats was sold last week and realised US$272 637 at an average price of US$214,46 per carat.DFI also announced that commencement of the resource development sampling programme is scheduled for late October.The sampling vessel MV Douglas Bay, chartered by Bonaparte from De Beers Marine, is being mobilised in Cape Town for this very purpose.Nampa