Namibia’s leading diamond producer, Namdeb has so far missed its production target due to challenges associated with the slow commissioning of the rehabilitated Elizabeth Bay Mine.
Company general manager, Riaan Burger was quoted by The Namibian Economist as saying to journalists that Namdeb had produced 198,000 carats from January to date, 30 percent lower that the initial target of 283,000 carats.
Namdeb pumped in about N$70 million ($8.3 million) for the rehabilitation of Elizabeth Bay Mine after shutting it down in 2009 due to profitability problems.
Namdeb was also battling to contain high operating costs, which were averaging N$126 ($15) per tonne against a budgeted N$107 ($13).
Meanwhile, Burger said he was optimistic that the miner was still on track to meet year-end profitability as Elizabeth Bay was now “producing well”.
Namdeb says it is looking at innovative ways to continue mining its low grade resource at Daberas to extend the life of mine beyond 2014.
“Daberas has been operating since 2001 but we are trying to extend the life of mine after 2014. There are still diamonds left but we are looking at whether we can do that economically. If we are to develop the low grade ore, then we have to change the way we mine in order to reduce costs,” said Sendelingsdrift project manager, Jack Wasserfal.
Namdeb treats 2.8 million tonnes of ore per year at Daberas mine, recovering between 35,000 and 50,000 carats.
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished
