BK11 BK11
https://www.firestonediamonds.com/operations/mining-operations/bk11
Key facts
Location: Orapa, Botswana
Acquired: Prospecting License awarded to Firestone Diamonds in March 2007 followed by a Mining Licence in July 2010
Ownership: Firestone Diamonds controls 90%, with a group of local investors owning the remaining 10%
Total resource: 9.6 hectare kimberlite at surface. Total Mineral Resource of over 29 million tonnes at a grade of 44 carats per hundred tonnes, containing circa 1.2 million carats
In situ value: The average price of the BK11 crater facies was estimated at US$137 per carat and the coarser West zone at US$157 per carat both at a 1mm bottom cut off
Status: On care and maintenance since February 2012
Project description
The BK11 kimberlite mine is located in the Orapa kimberlite field in northern Botswana. BK11 is located approximately 10 kilometres west and 20 kilometres southeast of De Beers’ Letlhakane and Orapa mines, respectively, and is within 5 kilometres of Lucara’s Karowe mine.
Initial pit design work indicates that approximately 12 Mt of kimberlite can be extracted at an average grade of 8 carats per hundred tonnes containing circa 0.9 million carats. Phase 1 of the BK11 production plant commenced in August 2010 but was placed on care and maintenance in February 2012 as a result of the plant’s inability to successfully liberate diamonds. Phase 2 which included secondary and tertiary crushing circuits and connection to the existing electrical power infrastructure remains to be implemented.
The Board is considering various strategic alternatives for its Botswana operation, including disposal or potential joint venture options.
Diamond mining has fuelled much of the country’s economic expansion and currently accounts for more than one-third of GDP, 70-80% of export earnings, and about half of the government’s revenues. Botswana is the world’s largest and lowest cost producer of diamonds with annual production worth over US$3 billion and is considered to be one of the most prospective countries in the world to explore for kimberlite, the primary rock for diamonds.
Firestone Diamonds plc
Exceptional diamond sale results
LONDON: 5th July 2011
Firestone Diamonds plc, ("Firestone" or "the Company"), the AIM-quoted diamond mining and exploration company (ticker: AIM:FDI), is pleased to announce results from the diamond tender recently held in Gaborone, Botswana.
BK11
2,036 carats sold at an average price of $235/carat, an increase of 16% from April 2011 and 33% from December 2010
Higher diamond prices expected following commissioning of secondary crushing circuit.
A total of 2,035 carats from BK11 were sold on behalf of the Company's 90% owned subsidiary, Monak Venture (Pty) Limited, for $479,995. The average price achieved is $235/carat, which is 16% higher than the price achieved for Q1 2011 production at the April 2011 tender and 33% higher than the December 2010 price. With the secondary crushing circuit at BK11 now commissioned and fully operational, it is expected that the increased diamond liberation will result in high grades and larger average diamond sizes, which should result in higher diamond prices.
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Firestone Diamonds plc
Diamond sale results
LONDON: 14th September 2011
Firestone Diamonds plc, ("Firestone" or "the Company"), the AIM-quoted diamond mining and exploration company (ticker: AIM:FDI), announces results from its fourth diamond sale of 2011 in Gaborone, Botswana, which was concluded on 9 September 2011.
BK11
1,549 carats from BK11 sold for an average of $282/carat.
IMHO when TGV restart the operation at BK11 with Autogenius mill and optymise secondary and tertiary crushing circuit we will able to have a lot more quality and size diamond for increase sale price like Lucara Diamond's mine Karowe who have more than 1200$ per carat.
GLTA DYODD do the math and put your share in a strong box.
Raypar