JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Production at the Bomboko alluvial diamond mine, in Guinea, would start in April, exploration company West African Diamonds announced on Wednesday.

The company, which had operations in Sierra Leone and Guinea, said in a statement to shareholders that preproduction testing at the mine would start at the end of March.

“Despite the turmoil in the diamond industry, it is good news that we have been able to build our Bomboko mine on time and within budget – we have taken the asset to the brink of production and look forward to collating our first package of diamonds for sale,” deputy chairperson James Campbell stated.

Meanwhile, the company had installed and commissioned a dense-media separation unit at its Droujba kimberlite project, also in Guinea.

A drill rig was being commissioned, with a drilling programme expected to start within the next few weeks.

“Droujba is a fine prospect. We eagerly await the results of the bulk sampling. With production from Bomboko and a number of attractive development and exploration projects, significant value has been uncovered in a short period,” added Campbell.

To subscribe to Mining Weekly's print magazine email subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za or buy now.