Newfield Resources has completed 845 metres of underground development at its Tongo diamond mine in Sierra Leone.
Company executive director Karl Smithson said kimberlite ore is being yielded from the return air way (RAW) on the Kundu kimberlite and they are currently stockpiling this at their bulk sample plant for processing.
“The decline towards mining level-1 on Kundu is also progressing which will lead to the first mining stopes being established at Tongo and providing the first run of mine ore,” he said.
“The operations have not been adversely affected by the various worldwide travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 Omicron variant, but we continue to remain vigilant and maintain our strict screening and sanitation protocol on the mine site.”
Newfield said the next two months will see the continuation of the Kundu A RAW development and commencement of the ventilation raise, recovering ore from Kundu in the process.
It said the Kundu decline will progress towards mining level-1 of Kundu A where a rock drive will be developed eastwards towards the first cross cuts that will access the first fissure raise and mining stopes of level-1.
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished
Exclusive
Ellah Muchemwa: ADPA to launch Africa's first diamond mining standard next year
The African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA), which is based in Luanda, Angola, and represents the interests of mainly African diamond producers and those with the potential to produce diamonds, will next year launch the Sustainable Development...
Yesterday
Dmitry Fedorov: I want our jewelry to be displayed at a museum in the future
Dmitry Fedorov is the founder of the eponymous jewelry house. His main focus is the creation of Orthodox-inspired premium luxury jewelry of high artistic merit. He told Rough&Polished about his journey in the jewelry industry, about choosing the ‘Orthodox...
28 october 2024
Responsible business practices ‘no longer optional’, says WDC President Feriel Zerouki
The president of the World Diamond Council takes time out of her busy schedule to tell Rough&Polished readers about the critical work of the WDC. Zerouki, the first female present of the body, which includes all the important industry organizations among...
14 october 2024
James Campbell: Botswana Diamonds optimistic as it enters uncharted territory of using AI for mineral exploration
London-listed Botswana Diamonds has expressed optimism about the company’s use of artificial intelligence (AI) to scan the exploration database in Botswana to look for new mineralised deposits. Company managing director James Campbell told Rough...
07 october 2024
Artur Salyakayev: For me, happiness is freedom to make my ideas happen and create valuable products
Artur Salyakayev is an art entrepreneur, founder of the International Jewelry Academy (IJA) and the INCRUA jewelry company. He has initiated and developed successful projects in jewelry industry and services sector. He is also a leading expert...
30 september 2024
