Finsch Diamond Mine, South Africa
Key Data:
Producer of
Diamonds
Location
160km northwest of Kimberley, Cape Province, South Africa
Ownership
De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd (100%)
Geology type
Kimberlite pipe hosted in banded ironstones
Mineral type
Diamonds, mainly industrial
Reserve base
105.5Mt containing 45Mct (probable, indicated and inferred)
Annual production
Capacity: 6Mt/y run-of-mine ore; 2.2Mct (2005)
Mining method
Initial open pit, succeeded by underground mining since 1990; open stoping to be followed by block caving
Processing method
Underground crushing, with milling and recovery of diamonds by gravity separation, X-ray fluorescence and grease tables
Employment
1,350
Key Equipment:
Underground
Tamrock drill rigs; AECI explosives delivery service; Modular Mining Systems vehicle monitoring system; MMD sizers
Concentrator
Warman slurry pumps
