DiamondCorp plc, the Southern Africa focused diamond mine development and exploration company plans to schedule the first sale of diamonds from its Lace mine in October, when tunnel and initial slot drive tonnage will have provided a sufficiently representative parcel of kimberlite diamonds.

So far, the company noted, processing of kimberlite from development at the mine continues to return encouraging results in terms of diamond size frequency and quality. Also, for safety reasons, underground tunnel development at the Lace mine is proceeding slower than planned in fractured ground close to old workings. Some zones, particularly on the eastern side of the pipe have been found to contain kimberlite of a quite friable nature. This has reduced the rate of advance and as a result of DiamondCorp’s insistence on installing additional support, particularly at tunnel cross cuts in the kimberlite, will continue to impact on the development timetable. These ground conditions will be a positive for fragmentation and caving when mining commences, as per the company.

Installation of the anti-rollback idlers for the underground conveyor belt system has commenced and majority of it is expected to be completed by September, as per the company.