The Mv Namakwa, Trans Hex's newest deep-water diamond mining vessel, has
left Cape Town for sea trials prior to her deployment in Namibian waters.
According to executive director: marine division Andr Louw the ship,
completed on schedule, will be used in the joint-venture project with
Diamond Fields International (DFI) on Mining License 111 off the L deritz
coast.
"This is the first of two vessels to be dedicated to the joint-venture zone,
with the second scheduled for commissioning in October 2002," explained
Louw. "The availability of the Mv Ivan Prinsep allowed us to start earlier
than expected and over the past five months we have completed a mixed
programme of trenching and block mining."
The preliminary phase has yielded more than 9 700 carats. It has also
enabled the mining team to verify geological data and obtain a better
understanding of the geometry of the eastern part of the Marshall Fork
deposit, while at the same time hone operational skills.
The Mv Namakwa combines air-lift mining technology with advanced sonar
visualisation equipment in order to thoroughly scour the ocean floor for
diamonds.
The vessel is a self-contained mining unit operating on a 28-day shift
rotation system and includes primary screening, a 50 tonne per hour Dense
Media Separation plant and final recovery with twin stage x-ray machines and
onboard hands-off sorting.
Once the new vessel has completed sea trials and is successfully on-station
and mining the Mv Ivan Prinsep will be re-assigned to Trans Hex's own
concessions. A mixed programme of exploration and trial mining will be
conducted on some of the more than 19 000 km} of sea concessions under the
Company's control.
"We were fortunate to start the joint venture earlier than expected using
the Mv Ivan Prinsep," said Louw. "The experience gained on working the
joint venture area combined with the increased mining capacity of the Mv
Namakwa should enable us to meet our expected production output."
Ends.
For further information : Andr Louw
Trans Hex Group
Tel: (021) 937-2000
Issued by : Cullum Johnston
BHA Communications
Tel: (021) 683-2685 / 083 212-2455
Date : 24th October 2001
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