Up and running again for about five weeks, Etruscan Diamonds has produced 1,386 carats from its Klipgat alluvial diamond project in the Mooi River valley, about 40 km east of the Tirisano diamond mine in Ventersdorp, South Africa.
Between June 23 and July 25, the expanded 40,000-tonne-per-month diamond recovery plant, operated by contractor Gothoma Diggings, recovered some 1,188 diamonds from 58,145 cubic metres of gravel. More than 9% of the stones exceed 5 carats, with the largest stone tipping the scales at 20.54 carats. The diamonds averaged 1.15 carats.
At the end of June, Etruscan Diamonds sold a 203-carat parcel from Klipgat for an average price of US$530 per carat; the package did not include the impressive 20.54-carat stone.
The latest haul of gem-quality rough was derived from the same area Gothoma mined for 16,500 carats between February 2002 and April 2004. Those stones sold for more than US$6.4 million, or an average of US$392 per carat. “We are very encouraged by these production figures from Klipgat. Throughput has exceeded plant capacity and the diamond value is up 35%,” says Etruscan Resources CEO Gerald McConnell.
“Based on historical diamond production records from the Mooi River gravels, we anticipate continued positive results,” he adds.
Etruscan was recently granted a prospecting permit for the Mooi River concessions, immediately to the south. Ground-based gravity surveying there will follow up on three sinkhole targets identified during previous airborne gravity surveying. Drilling is also planned.
Klipgat is being developed in partnership with the local community, known as Bakwena Ba Mare A Phogole. Etruscan Diamonds is owned 51% by
The Mooi River concessions are being developed in partnership with the WakeMin Consortium, a black economic empowerment group; local community and women’s groups, including the Ngakane community, will hold at least 40% of WakeMin.
Be the first to comment on "Klipgat gives good results"