First Diamonds from Marsfontein Project
March 06, 23
(IDEX Online) - Botswana Diamonds says it expects to see the first recoveries from its Marsfontein project, in South Africa, later this month.
Work began at the end of January and the British-based diamond exploration and development company says about 1,500 tons of eluvial gravels from the main Marsfontein pipe have been excavated and are awaiting processing.
The Marsfontein Mine, in Limpopo province, was operational for just two years in the late 1990s and is located close to Botswana Diamonds' Thorny River operation.
John Teeling, who revived Ireland's whiskey industry, expanded his company's operations from Botswana into South Africa and Zimbabwe.
"The processing plant has been established and commissioning with gravels has just commenced," the company said in a statement.
"First recoveries of diamonds are therefore now expected this month and a further announcement will be made in due course."
Pic courtesy Botswana Diamonds