Name of the Project
Krone-Endora at Venetia project expansion.

Location
Limpopo, South Africa.

Project Owner/s
Diamcor Mining.

Project Description
The project entails a two-phase expansion of the processing facilities.

The first phase will double the current processing volumes in the near term. This phase includes the installation of a new materials handling step (scrubbing), the improvement and expansion of the diamond concentration system, the installation of a new electronic diamond X-ray recovery unit and various other refinements to lower water and power consumption on a per-ton basis.

The second phase is aimed at finalising the project’s mining and processing scheme to significantly enhance long-term processing volume capabilities as part of the company’s overall long-term mineral project management strategy. This phase will also focus on completing the groundwork necessary for future expansion capabilities.

Diamcor plans to consolidate its current facilities to further increase throughputs, reduce the overall processing footprint and unit costs, and minimise environmental disturbance. Additional heavy equipment will also be added if required to support these objectives. This overall strategy will be supported by the parallel activities of drilling and bulk sampling of prospective target areas.

The project is not expected to affect the processing efforts currently under way.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
Not stated.

Planned Start/End Date
Phase 1 of the project has been completed. The initial upgrades were originally targeted for completion by the end of September 2021.

Latest Developments
Diamcor Mining has reported that optimisation and refinement efforts at its upgraded processing plant, at its Krone-Endora at Venetia project, have continued as planned during the first fiscal quarter.

These combined efforts continue to demonstrate the processing plant’s potential to support the company’s goal to increase long-term processing volumes, the company has said.

Despite complications associated with managing unplanned daily power outages by State-owned power utility Eskom, the upgrades continue to demonstrate increases in processing volumes per operating hour of up to 70% over historical levels, the company has highlighted.

The company has further noted that the capacity to further increase volumes over the long term is expected once Eskom can reduce or eliminate the rolling power outages throughout South Africa.

Diamcor continues to monitor the situation and, where appropriate, with due consideration for diesel use and costs, supplement power outages using genset power and by adjusting operations accordingly for the short term.

Additionally, it is finalising plans to augment its current genset power capabilities to withstand future power outages with minimal interruptions.

Further increases in processing volumes are being targeted as the company continues to refine and expand its operations as planned by the end of the year. 

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Diamcor Mining, tel  +1 250 862 3212 or email info@diamcormining.com.