Merlin Diamonds has provided an update on its 100-owned Merlin diamond mine in the Northern Territory.
According to the company, a mining fleet has been mobilised to site and mining has commenced in the Kaye open pit following the successful dewatering of the Kaye pit.
“A short mining campaign commenced on 20 November 2016 to supplement the ore stockpiles prior to the onset of the wet season,” the company told the ASX.
“Approximately 16,000 tonnes of ore has been mined to date.”
Merlin said the diamond bearing kimberlite rock is proving to be rippable with a bulldozer and thus does not require drilling and blasting which reduces mining cost. It also reported that dewatering of the adjacent Ector pit has commenced in preparation for future mining from this pipe.
“It is planned to continue treatment operations throughout the wet season by treating ore from the stockpiles and ramping up of treatment operations and diamond recovery on a single shift are ongoing,” reads the statement.
“To date 38,000 tonnes of ore has been crushed and screened for treatment through the DMS plant. Diamond recovery will be reported on in the next quarterly report.”
