| Tue 6 Sep 2011, 14:30 | | RDI - Rockwell Diamonds Incorporated - Rockwell to implement a highly effective |
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RDI
RDI
RDI - Rockwell Diamonds Incorporated - Rockwell to implement a highly effective
Bulk X-Ray Technology Diamond recovery at Saxendrift
ROCKWELL DIAMONDS INCORPORATED
(A company incorporated in accordance with the laws of British Columbia, Canada)
(Incorporation number BCO354545)
(Formerly Rockwell Ventures Inc.)
(South African registration number: 2007/031582/10)
Share code on the JSE Limited: RDI ISIN: CA77434W2022
Share code on the TSX: RDI CUSIP Number: 77434W103
Share code on the OTCBB: RDIAF
ROCKWELL TO IMPLEMENT A HIGHLY EFFECTIVE BULK X-RAY TECHNOLOGY DIAMOND RECOVERY
AT SAXENDRIFT
September 6, 2011 Vancouver, BC - Rockwell Diamonds Inc. ("Rockwell" or the
"Company") (TSX: RDI; JSE: RDI; OTCBB: RDIAF) announces that its board of
directors has approved the capital investment to install high throughput (or
bulk) x-ray technology at Saxendrift. This represents another positive step in
implementing and entrenching its diamond value management programmes which are
focused on sustainably enhancing diamond recoveries.
High throughput x-ray plants are the next significant advancement in diamond
processing technology. These plants effectively concentrate and recover diamonds
in one single, efficient, cost effective and secure step. This technology can
also identify rare Type II diamonds, which are known to be present in Rockwell`s
Middle Orange River properties. Diamonds of this type are, generally, not
recognized by the standard x-ray technology currently used at Saxendrift.
"The existing plant at Saxendrift is currently based on traditional pan plant
technology that is known to be less efficient in the recovery of diamonds than
the bulk x-ray technology which we are seeking to implement," explains James
Campbell, CEO, Rockwell. "We will pilot this technology at Saxendrift to fine
tune it to our specific requirements. Our objective is to deploy the same
technology over the next few years in the new processing plants that are planned
to be built at Wouterspan and Niewejaarskraal with significant efficiency
improvements over standard flow sheets."
The project will include the procurement and installation of one high throughput
Bourevestnik (BV) sorter and one BV single particle sorter for the concentration
and final sorting of diamond bearing ore at Saxendrift. The capital cost of some
$1.5 million will be funded from the proceeds of the recent asset sales. This
cost includes the installation of these units into an additional 400tph plant at
Saxendrift. The order has been placed for the equipment however the order
backlog is currently at about six months as a result of many other diamond
mining companies seeing the same benefits as Rockwell. Commissioning is expected
to be completed within three weeks of delivery.
Evaluation of the new technology for Saxendrift suggests that the new
installation is likely to achieve a positive payback after the retreatment of
old recovery plant tailings. Subsequently, the new plant will be used to process
the run of mine ore and is expected to result in a significant improvement in
diamond recoveries.
Campbell also stated "together with the other improvements currently in progress
at Saxendrift and the recovery of high quality gem stones, we are confident that
production at this mine will improve significantly to enable it to produce more
of the large, high value diamonds for which it is known."
For further information on Rockwell and its operations in South Africa, please
contact
James Campbell
CEO
+27 (0)83 457 3724
Stephanie Leclercq
Investor Relations
+27 (0)83 307 7587
About Rockwell Diamonds:
Rockwell is engaged in the business of operating and developing alluvial diamond
deposits, with a goal to become a mid-tier diamond mining company. The Company
has three existing operations, which it is progressively optimizing, two
development projects and a pipeline of earlier stage properties with future
development potential. Rockwell is also at an advanced stage of completing the
acquisition of the Tirisano property.
Rockwell also evaluates merger and acquisition opportunities which have the
potential to expand its mineral resources and production profile and would
provide accretive value to the Company.
No regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained in
this news release.
Forward Looking Statements
Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain
"forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law.
Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan",
"expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other
similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will"
occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-
looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not
guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ
materially from those in the forward-looking statements.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in
forward-looking statements include uncertainties and costs related to
exploration and development activities, such as those related to determining
whether mineral resources exist on a property; uncertainties related to expected
production rates, timing of production and cash and total costs of production;
uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary licenses, permits,
electricity, surface rights and title for development projects; operating and
technical difficulties in connection with mining development activities;
uncertainties related to the accuracy of our mineral resource estimates and our
estimates of future production and future cash and total costs of production.
In particular there can be no assurance that refinancing funds will be available
to Rockwell on acceptable terms or any terms at all.
For further information on Rockwell, Investors should review Rockwell`s annual
Form 20-F filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission
www.sec.com and the Company`s home jurisdiction filings that are available at
www.sedar.com.
Canada
6 September 2011
Sponsor
Sasfin Capital (a division of Sasfin Bank Limited)
Date: 06/09/2011 14:30:01 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.
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