End of an era as Argyle delivers its final production
PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Mining major Rio Tinto has ceased mining activities at its Argyle diamond mine, in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, after 37 years of operation.
“Fifty years ago there were very few people who believed there were diamonds in Australia – even fewer could have foreseen how the Argyle story would unfold. To arrive at this final chapter has required vision, courage and determination to overcome significant challenges to enter new territory in diamond exploration, mining and marketing,” said Rio’s CEO of copper and diamonds, Arnaud Soirat.
“Today Argyle’s influence stretches into many spheres and over many continents and I am very proud to acknowledge all those people who have contributed to the discovery and development of the mine and the production of some of the finest diamonds the world has ever seen.”
The Argyle orebody, a single pipe known as AK1, was discovered in late 1979, and alluvial operations began in 1983, with openpit mining following in 1985. The mine became a fully underground operation in 2013.
The mine has produced more than 865-million carats of rough diamonds becoming the world’s largest producer of coloured diamonds and virtually the sole source of a very small but consistent source of rare pink diamonds.
The closure process to decommission and dismantle the mine, and undertake rehabilitation, is expected to take some five years followed by a further period of monitoring.
Argyle will employ a smaller workforce post the final mining and diamond production activities, continuing to contribute to the local economy.
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