Technology and innovation
Diamond winning innovation to reduce breakage and increase recovered value.
The Letšeng mine has a unique diamond distribution with a significant portion of its revenue held in the +5mm fraction (greater than two carats). The quest to optimise the traditional diamond recovery process has not yet yielded the full potential to reduce diamond damage. Gem Diamonds continues to explore and evaluate new technologies to enhance diamond recovery and extract maximum value.
The opportunities for improved revenue through reducing diamond damage are (i) early identification of liberated or locked diamonds within kimberlite and (ii) non-mechanical means of liberating these diamonds. During 2017 progress was made in the development of key technologies that could be used to significantly reduce diamond damage, reduce costs and improve earnings.