Rockwell says Q4 diamond output up 77pc

Rockwell Diamonds said diamond production during its fourth quarter ended February 2012 increased 77 percent year-on-year.
The mid-tier diamond miner said in a statement that production from its three South African operations was 4 022 ct during the period under review compared to 2268 carats recorded in the prior year.
Of the total production, Klipdam Mine contributed 2050 ct, while Saxendrift Mine added 1437 ct and Tirisano 535 ct.
Rockwell also said that record production volumes were achieved in February as a result of continuous operations and significantly improved performance of the in-field screen that was commissioned in November 2011.
“Our priority for the quarter was the continued implementation of fit-for-purpose processing technology and active management of the mine plans at our three operational mines to achieve our production improvements with a continued focus on managing our costs," said company chief executive James Campbell.
He said Rockwell would now aim to commission and test a bulk X-ray plant at its Saxendrift mine to allow lower operating costs and increased recovery.
“Work on the reoptimisation of the feasibility study for the Wouterspan mine, using later and more applicable technology, was expected to start following the results from Saxendrift’s bulk X-ray project,” Campbell said.

Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished