VANCOUVER (miningweekly.com) – The joint venture (JV) Gahcho Kué diamond mine, in Canada’s Northwest Territories, has recovered a 67.87 ct gem-quality diamond, building on previous recoveries during the bulk sampling programme.
The find represents the largest gem-quality diamond recovered at Gahcho Kué to date.
The presence of large gem-quality diamonds at the mine had previously been established during bulk sampling when a 25.13 ct octahedron was recovered.
Mountain Province Diamonds CEO Patrick Evans on Monday said the recovery of a 67.87 ct gem-quality diamond during production ramp-up was “very encouraging”.
He added that following some disruptions owing to conveyor systems winterisation issues, the production ramp-up at Gahcho Kué was once again progressing well and that the mine was on track to achieve commercial production on schedule during the current quarter.
Mountain Province also announced that its second sale of diamonds from ramp-up production will take place in Antwerp, Belgium, from February 20 to March 1.
Gahcho Kué is a JV between Mountain Province and De Beers Canada, which owns a 51% stake and is the operator. The mine consists of a cluster of four diamondiferous kimberlites, three of which have a probable mineral reserve of 34.88-million tonnes grading 1.57 ct/t, for total diamond content of 54.64-million carats.