Name and Location
Venetia underground diamond mine, Limpopo, South Africa.
Client
De Beers Consolidated Mines South Africa (DBCM).
Project Description
The Venetia mine, which officially opened on August 14, 1992, is currently the largest producer of diamonds in South Africa and accountable for about 40% of the country’s total yearly diamond production.
The mine is currently an openpit operation; however, there are plans to build a new underground mine beneath the current operating openpit.
The new underground mine will extend the life of Venetia to 2042 and replace the openpit as South Africa’s largest diamond mine, yielding an estimated 96-million carats during the life of the mine and securing more than 3 000 jobs.
Value
De Beers expects to invest about R20-billion ($2-billion) in the Venetia underground mine from now to 2021.
Duration
Underground operations will begin production in 2021.
Latest Developments
The Venetia mine underground project was approved in 2012 by the De Beers and Anglo American boards.
Environmental authorisation was granted in July 2012, and the environmental management plan was approved by the Department of Mineral Resources in October.
The final outstanding regulatory clearances were obtained in February 2013.
Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.
On Budget and on Time?
Too early to state.
Contact Details for Project Information
DBCM, Tom Tweedy, tel +27 11 374 7173/7566 or email Tom.Tweedy@debeersgroup.com.