The Marsfontein Diamond Mine, an open pit diamond mine situated in South Africa’s Limpopo Province, is set to deliver its first diamond recovery in March.
Operated by diamond exploration and project development company, Botswana Diamonds’ subsidiary, Vutomi Mining, the alluvial and dump mine was initially expected to produce diamonds in February this year following the mine’s site establishment during the final week of January.
The company announced earlier this month that the site establishment resulted in the excavation of approximately 1,500 tons of alluvial gravels, which currently await processing at the mine’s processing plant.
“The processing plant has been established and commissioning with gravels has just commenced,” the company said in a statement, adding, “First recoveries of diamonds are therefore now expected this month and a further announcement will be made in due course.”
The Marsfontein project serves as a precursor to the larger Thorny River project, which is due to enter production during the second quarter of 2023.