Stellar Continues Trial Mining Progress at Baoulé Project
March 30, 16
(IDEX Online News) – Stellar Diamonds plc has announced its unaudited interim results for the six months ended December 31, 2015, which showed that it is 73 percent through its 100,000 ton objective at its Baoulé Project in Guinea.
Stellar said that it has mined 46,500 tons from the east lobe and a further 26,000 tons from the western one. Processing from the five hectare pipe has yielded more than 9,300 carats at an average grade of 12.7 carats per hundred tons. The largest stone recovered to date, is a low-quality 55-carat diamond.
The company has undertaken three diamond sales in Antwerp, which have realized $1 million in revenue. These high quality gem diamonds have achieved prices of up to $6,800 per carat.
The company also updated the progress of its mining license application for the Tongo Kimberlite Dyke-1 Project in Sierra Leone, which is estimated to contain 1.45 million carats. The resource at Tongo is believed to be high grade (120 cpht) and of high value, with estimates of $270 per carat.
In February, Stellar received approval from the Sierra Leone Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its Environmental, Social and Health Impact Assessment. It subsequently submitted a mining license application to the government, which is currently being considered.
“Looking ahead our objective for 2016 is for Stellar to evolve from an explorer to a funded diamond mining company with Tongo moving into the development phase once the mining licence is granted and the necessary funding has been secured,” said non-executive chairman Lord Daresbury.
“This will be the key focus of the executive team over the coming months and it is no doubt going to be challenging with the current tough resource market conditions.”