Diavik Performing Well, On Target To Meet 2004 Forecast
July 28, 04
The Diavik Diamond Mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories continued to perform well during the second quarter and by June 30 the year-to-date diamond production had reached 3.81 million carats, according to Diavik Diamond Mines Inc, the operator of the Diavik mine.
The figure would seem to put the mine on course to achieve its projected diamond production for 2004 which it revised downward in March to the mid to upper range of 7 to 8 million carats as compared to its earlier forecast of 8.2 million carats.
Diavik said in a report on its second quarter operations that a recently concluded winter exploration program, including geophysical surveys and diamond drilling, revealed two new kimberlite pipes, bringing the number of kimberlite pipes and bodies on the Diavik claim block to 64.
One of the two new pipes is located approximately 55 kilometers northeast of the mine site and the other is around four kilometers east of the A154 pit.
A summer exploration program began near the end of July.
Diavik said it is working closely with government, community and industry partners to conclude an Aboriginal Skills & Employment Program, which can access up to CA$15 million ($11.3 million) in Federal funding for aboriginal mine training over the next four years.
The Diavik mine is 40 percent owned by Aber Diamond Corporation and the rest by diversified miner Rio Tinto Inc.