Ghana-based minerals extraction company Great Consolidated Diamonds Ghana (GCDG) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with process solutions provider Modular Process Technologies (MPT) to develop its diamond- and gold-bearing mining concessions along the Birim river, in Ghana’s eastern region.

In terms of the MoU, signed in October, MPT will lead the project development initiative, which will include investors and partners, for GCDG.

MPT is also responsible for the design and supply of the complete modular process plant, with a gold recovery module to be linked into the modular diamond-processing plant to extract gold as a by-product.

Currently, GCDG has five concession blocks that contain diamonds and gold – with one yet to be explored – and three tailings dumps, situated along the Birim river.

The tailings are from the former Akwatia diamond mine, located a short distance upstream from the concession blocks. Akwatia has produced over 100-million carats in its 80-plus years of operation.

“The diamond mining lease covers 347 km² and the gold prospecting licence covers over 123 km². Operating permits to start mining and prospecting have been granted by the inspectorate division of the Minerals Commission,” says MPT MD Ockert Kotze.

“The diamond grade varies between 1.44 ct/m³ and 0.74 ct/m³ for the measured resources. The 20-million cubic metres of tailings is estimated at a grade of 0.27 ct/m³. “The current total measured resource is over 11-million carats while the estimated potential resource holds a total of 40-million carats of diamonds, excluding tailings deposits,” adds Kotze.

The modular plant for processing the gravel will be designed according to standard modules linked together to form a complete processing operation. Standard dense-media separation modular technology will be used to produce a diamond concentrate. The concentrate will be processed in an X-ray module before being sorted in glove boxes.

GCDG has, through the divestiture process, acquired 90% of the mine, which previously belonged to the Ghana government.

The remaining 10% is still held by the Ghana government on behalf of the people of Ghana as a free-carried interest in terms of the Ghana Mining and Minerals Act.

MPT specialises in the design and construction of modular processing plants, studies, after-sales services and consulting services. Its modular plants are designed for most commodities, including gold, copper, diamonds, coal, iron-ore, ilmenite, bauxite, zinc and manganese.