A new diamond recovery technology has been initiated for use in mines in Botswana. The new x-ray transmission (X-RT) technology will now aid in primary diamond recovery in the country.
Karowe Mine, which is located in the north-central Botswana is on the verge of becoming the first diamond mine to use this new diamond recovery technology according to recent reports. Lucara Diamond Corporation chief operations officer, Mr. Paul Day has confirmed this during celebration of a million carats recovered from the Karowe mine this year.
This diamond recovery technology has the potential to “remove large quantities of gangue material, substantially increasing the run of mine (ROM) ore grade before any conventional processing takes place. The press release says in part, and defines X-RT as “an unconventional process of pre-concentration which can effectively upgrade the mill feed prior to more conventional physical upgrading and acid leaching.”
Gangue material is the material that is mixed with ore deposit in the mine and which is commercially worthless.
Owned 100% by Boteti, the Karowe Mine is located in Orapa/Letlhakane Kimberlite. The latter is one of the world’s renowned diamond producing areas.
Earlier on last month, the country discovered more diamond varieties in the Tsabong North project in south-west.