Ekati’s Panda Expected to Reach Full Production in a Year
January 27, 05
The Panda project, part of BHP Billiton’s Ekati mine in Canada, is expected to reach full production in early 2006. The miner says first ore production is on schedule for early this year.
In its quarterly report on company exploration and development, BHP Billiton says The Panda underground project will be a 2,600 tons per day sub-level retreat mine, delivering approximately 4.6 million tons of ore and 4.7 million carats of diamonds over a 6 year production life.
Development costs are estimated at $182 million. BHP Billiton holds an 80 percent stake in the mine, bringing its share of the development to $146 million.
The miner also reported that exploration drilling continued on diamond targets in Canada, Botswana and Namibia.