New Mine in Sierra Leone Prepares for First Run of Diamonds
December 08, 21
(IDEX Online) - Diamond production is set to begin at the new Tongo mine, in Sierra Leone.
Eleven diamond-bearing kimberlites have been identified at the project, by Australian operators Newfield Resources.
Five of them have been incorporated into the current JORC-compliant 8.3 million carat diamond resource estimate.
The company said 845 metres of underground development have been completed to date, with production due to start early next year.
The mine has an initial eight-year life, with an estimated 250,000-carat production in year 5. Sierra Leone's total diamond production in 2020 was 600,000 carats.
The Tongo mine boasts 63 per cent gem content, compared to a global average of only 20 per cent, according to Newfield's investor presentation.
Top color "collection goods" will represent an unusually high 50 per cent of run of mine production, it says.
Pic courtesy Newfield Resources