BHP Billiton Appoints New President of Diamonds Unit, Announces Ekati Expansion

(IDEX Online News) - BHP Billiton is moving forward with the Misery open pit project at its Ekati diamond mine in Canada, expecting to start producing ore in late 2015. BHP Billiton has also announced the appointment of Tim Cutt as President, Diamonds and Specialty Products, effective 1 June 2011.

The mining company said the $404 million expansion project consists of a pushback of the existing Misery open pit which was mined from 2001 to 2005. Stripping operations are expected to begin in October, with ore production beginning late 2015 and final production from Misery in mid 2017.

The miner will spend $323 million on the project, in line with its 80% share in the mine.

In related news, the company appointed Tim Cutt as President of BHP Billiton Diamonds and Specialty Products, replacing Graham Kerr. Along with this appointment, BHP Billiton will be relocating the Diamonds and Specialty Products business from Vancouver to Saskatoon.

The company said the relocation reflects its commitment to establish a premier potash business managed from Saskatchewan, near its flagship potash development project.

Cutt is currently President of production in BHP Billiton’s Petroleum business, a position he has held since joining the company in 2007. Kerr is returning to Australia due to a family illness and will assume a senior position with the Company to be announced in due course.