Name of the Mine
Gravelotte mine.

Location 
Limpopo, South Africa.

Mine Owner/s 
URA Holdings acquired GEM Venus, the owner of a 76% interest in Gravelotte, in February 2023; the balance of the mine is held by an employee and community trust.

Brief Description 
Gravelotte was the biggest emerald mine in the world during the 1960s and produced significant quantities of high-quality gems of good colour and clarity.

The mothballed mine covers a large, fully compliant, mining licence area and large parts remain unexplored.

Remaining potential carats identified through Joint Ore Reserves Committee exoloration is larger than the total carats mined during the estimated 70 years of operation.

Brief History 
Gravelotte was once one of the world's largest emerald mines and was operational from 1929 to 2002.

URA Holdings acquired the mine in February 2023.

The reports and work done on the operation have indicated that the mine can be brought into profitable production on an initial small scale, which URA intends to do to.

Primary Metals/Minerals 
Emeralds.

Secondary Metals/Minerals 
None stated.

Geology/Mineralisation 
Not stated.

Reserves 
None stated.

Resources 
Total mineral resources as at 2022 were estimated at 1.9-million tonnes for 29-million carats of emeralds. A further exploration target of 164- to 344-million carats exists across other parts of the licence area.

Type of Mine
Gravelotte is an openpit operation, although the mineralisation has been shown to continue at deeper levels.

Mining Method 
Openpit.

Major Infrastructure/Equipment 
Despite being mothballed for a lengthy period, much of the site infrastructure, including buildings, fencing and roads, remain.

The operation includes existing and accessible opencuts, together with extensive low-grade dumps, a large historic data base, a nearby and available workforce, local on-site technical expertise and a nearby township that can serve as a supply centre.

Prospects 
Gravelotte is considered ready for the development of staged mining operations and a medium-term production opportunity.

Contact Details
URA Holdings
Tel +44 746 368 6497
Email info@uraholdingsplc.co.uk

Sources
URA Holdings. Website: https://uraholdingsplc.co.uk/
URA Holdings. Interim Report (September 1, 2023).
URA Holdings. Gravelotte Emerald mine development update (September 6, 2023).