JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – JSE-listed miner Trans Hex said on Tuesday it achieved an average price of $952/ct in its latest tender, reflecting stronger demand for rough diamonds at the start of 2012.

Overall prices, which stabilised in the latter part of 2011, have shown modest increases, the company said in a market update.

The group’s February tender sale of 19 562 ct from its South African mines brought in R145.6-million.

Eight single stones were sold for an average price of more than $10 000/ct, including three stones from Baken mine, which sold for over $20 000/ct.

Somiluana mine, in Angola, in which Trans Hex holds a 33% stake, realised a total of $3.53-million for its December and January sales, selling 8 119 ct at an average price of $435/ct.

Year-to-date production at the group’s South African operations amounted to 73 744 ct at the end of January. During the first six months of the financial year 33 199 ct were produced, while 40 545 ct were produced in the four-month period from October 2011 to January.

The production target for the full year was 82 000 ct, while year-to-date production at Somiluana amounted to 36 911 ct at the end of January. During the first six months of the financial year, 20 473 ct were produced, whereas 16 438 ct were produced in the four-month period from October to January.

The production target for the full year is 42 000 ct.

The next sale of South African production will be held in March.

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