Dundo – The Yetwene Mining Society (SMY), located in the municipality of Lucapa, north-eastern Lunda-Norte Province, plans to increase monthly production from 3 to 13k carats of diamonds this year with the entry into operation of new treatment units.
The information was provided on Sunday by SMY's advisor for Mining Development, Vánia Ferreira, highlighting that the installation of four pre-treatment units with capacity for 100 and 250 tons/hour, respectively, is underway, increasing the treatment capacity of ore from 100 to 450 tons/hour.
She said it is planned to start a second production front, which will allow the planned targets to be achieved.
According to her, in the last four years, the mine produced more than 23k carats of diamonds.
In terms of human capital, she continued, the mine foresees growth followed by an expansion plan, in the order of 45%.
On the other hand, she revealed that the price of diamonds produced at Yetwene is around 150 dollars per carat.
Yetwene is a joint venture association created for diamond exploration in the commune of Camissombo, municipality of Lucapa, in a concession of 508 square kilometers.
The mine is located along the Chicapa river basin, one of the areas with the greatest diamond potential in Lunda-Norte and economically viable, judging by the considerable number of kimberlite bodies identified.
Around 30 kilometers south of the region, there are high-value diamonds, colored and of different shapes, associated with the primary and secondary deposits of the Chicapa river drainage system.
The mine prioritizes the hiring of young nationals, recruited locally, with a quota of 244 workers, of which 220 are nationals and 24 expatriates.
HD/CF/jmc
