Waste mining revives Letlhakane Mine
Pauline Dikuelo | Tuesday October 17, 2017 12:46
The tailings plant, which focuses on mining the waste accumulated over the years, was built after the current plant lifespan had come to an end. The mine lifespan ended in 2014 and it produced about 0.6 million carats per annum.
Briefing the media this week, Orapa, Letlhakane and Damtshaa Mine (OLDM) senior project manager, Omphile Ntabeni said the mine has been accumulating waste materials that will be retreated at the tailings plant.
According to Ntabeni, the plant will treat about 3.6 million tonnes per year with estimated production value of 800,000 carats per annum.
He said through the project they want to deliver sustained and profitable operations at Letlhakane Mine post pit mining by recovery of the Letlhakane Mine tailings.
“We want to build a specifically designed mining and treatment solution that ensures optimal economic recovery of diamonds,” he said. In addition, he said this is a brownfield project with minimal tie-ins to existing infrastructure of 66KV overhead power line from Orapa to Letlhakane Mine. In 2013, Letlhakane Mine engaged EcoSurv Environment Consultants to conduct the archaeological impact assessment of the tailings plant. The following year the same consultants conducted an environment and social impact on the 66KVA Ohl.
Further, according to OLDM general manager, Bakani Motlhabane, they will recommission the production of the Damtshaa Mine effective January next year.
Damtshaa Mine stopped production in 2015 following the unfavourable trading conditions.
According to Motlhabane, this was a deliberate move considering the trading conditions with a mind to restart production when predictable.
“We produce inline with the trading conditions and we are flexible that when we need to slow down inline with the trading conditions we do so as well as when we need to ramp up,” he said.