The Australian mining company Burgundy Diamond Mines announced the encouraging results of the drilling program at the Misery field in Canada. The company hopes for the extension of the mine life beyond the initially planned 2026 closure date.
According to CEO Kim Truter, Misery, known for its high grade ore, can remain productive after its initial closure date. Drilling results indicate that the kimberlite pipe was intersected earlier than expected in all of the completed wells aimed at expanding the ore body estimate of the Misery deposit.
Drilling began in July, and to date, six of the planned 32 wells were completed. It is noteworthy that during the drilling of the first well, a fantasy yellow diamond was found about 25 m below the last planned level of production and outside the previously modeled length of the ore body.
In the fourth quarter, Burgundy plans to start drilling and sampling of the southwestern expansion of the main ore body. In addition, the company plans to postpone the Sable underground project and related investments for at least one year due to the predicted ore excess.
Misery underground mine is part of the Ekati deposit located in the North-West Territories of Canada.
Hélène Tarin, Editor-in-Chief of the Asian Bureau, Rough&Polished
