THE DIAMOND PAGE — Botswana Diamondfields secures access at Rovic mine

In South Africa, Botswana Diamondfields (BWD-V) is cleaning up after a mud slide that killed 20 people at its Rovic diamond mine in late November.

The Vancouver-based company has launched a recovery program aimed at securing access to the mine via the main and sub-vertical shafts and at establishing a new dewatering system to prevent further flooding.

On Nov. 27, after heavy rains, an inflow of mud from old open-cast workings occurred in the current underground working areas. The disaster resulted in the deaths of 19 employees and one contract worker; 34 employees were rescued.

To secure the main shaft and existing pump chamber, Botswana Goldfields has installed new pumps on the 394-ft. level. Submersible pumps have also been installed in the sub-vertical shaft. As a result, the water level has dropped by more than 10 metres since pumping began on Dec. 15.

The mine has been worked since 1903, though Botswana Goldfields took over only last July.

Situated 100 km northeast of Kimberley, South Africa, the Rovic contains minable reserves of 2 million tons grading 35 carats per 100 tons.