JSE- and TSX-listed Rockwell Diamonds has recovered several large stones from its Saxendrift and Holpan mining operations, in South Africa.

The diamond-miner recovered a 52,4-ct clean light fancy yellow, a 60,52-ct light yellow octahedral, a 74,99-ct clean white irregular blocky stone, and a 54,23-ct light yellow broken macle stone.

Some of the large diamonds were produced prior to the festive season break, while others were recovered since operations resumed on January 8, Rockwell said in a statement last week.

The stones were being cleaned to ensure that their proper characteristics, including colour and clarity, were apparent for valuation by the company’s diamond experts.
The four diamonds recovered at Saxendrift were mined from basal gravel and Rooikoppie deposits, whereas the Holpan stone was likely mined from palaeochannel deposits.
“Our Saxendrift mine continues to impress with its regular yield of large and exceptional stones, highlighting the remarkable geological setting of this, and other, Middle Orange river deposits,” said Rockwell president and CEO John Bristow.
“This is also the setting for the Wouterspan deposit and reinforces our decision to implement the planning and recommissioning of operations there, which yields a similar diamond population.”

Bristow noted that, apart from heavy rain at Holpan and Klipdam during January, which impacted on processing and earthmoving operations, the company could report a smooth start-up in 2010.

“Our management and operations team are fully focused on ensuring a year of good production and growth for Rockwell.”

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