Mining of dumps, exploration ongoing at Marsfontein project

Diamond producer Botswana Diamonds (BOD) states that mining at the dumps of the company’s Marsfontein project is ongoing.

In an update on its Marsfontein and Thorny River projects, in South Africa, the company says exploration, including drilling and geophysics in the mine area, has identified a blow of between 5 m and 10 m, and about 13 m from the surface. This blow has been identified as fresh kimberlite.

BOD states that while the company waits for outstanding permits to mine at Thorny River, mining continues at Marsfontein.

“As a proof-of-concept project, Marsfontein is delivering diamond recoveries and values above expectations as previously reported last month. This augers well for Thorny River.

“The discovery of an unmined blow is excellent news and will enable ongoing production until final permits to mine Thorny River are received,” comments BOD chairperson John Teeling.