Jewelrytime Part Harry Winston

Jewelrytime Part Harry Winston
Harry Winston Diamond Corporation Announces Diavik Diamond Mine Second Quarter 2008 Update
By: tootoo2
Harry Winston Diamond Corporation announced that the operator of the Diavik Diamond Mine has provided the following update on work during the second quarter of 2008 at the Diavik Diamond Mine: Ore production accelerated in the second quarter in line with plan due to improved operating conditions. Ore was mined predominantly from the A154 South kimberlite pipe, with smaller tonnages mined from the A154 North and A418 pipes. The A418 ore was mined as part of ongoing pre-stripping of waste overburden to prepare the second open pit. This initial ore is low grade weathered kimberlite capping the pipe and diluted with overlying glacial till. Full scale open pit production from A418 is scheduled to begin in earnest late this year. Natural grade variation in the A154 pipes combined with the low grade nature of the A418 production of ore mixed with waste overburden material resulted in 2.522 million carats of diamonds being recovered during the quarter, 23 per cent below the same quarter of 2007. Diamond production is now forecast to be from 10 to 10.5 million carats in 2008.
Work continues at significant pace to prepare the mine site for underground mining. Below surface, tunnelling work has now passed 8 kilometres with tunnel advance rates accelerating during the quarter. Construction is progressing as planned on the new crusher and paste backfill plant, on expansions to the water treatment and power plants, and on foundations for mine change rooms and additional permanent accommodation facilities. Underground mining is projected to begin in 2009 and to replace open pit mining by 2012. In other capital work, a CDN $50 million project was approved to make additions and modifications to the ore processing plant to recover
very small diamonds, reflecting good market demand for that product. The first recovery of small diamonds is expected towards the end of 2009.