CEN JUL
19
The Ghaghoo Diamond Mine is extremely remote and isolated, and the majority of the 93
Redpath staff members working on the project have been located on site. In order to maximise
productivity and reduce logistical challenges, staff members work 14 days on and seven days
off. As part of its commitment to social and economic development, Redpath South Africa has
employed 78 staff members from communities surrounding the project. Jan says that the staff
members working on site have been in high spirits throughout the project: “They’ve built up
a camaraderie working together on a complex and difficult project.”
Gem Diamonds held numerous discussions and road shows for the local communities, in order
to ensure that the population is directly involved in the project, while creating sustainable
skills development in the area.
Gem Diamonds purchased the Gope Exploration Company Pty (Ltd), which owns the rights to
the Gope Deposit, in 2007 from De Beers and Xstrata. It has since been renamed Ghaghoo
Diamond Mine, and a mining licence was awarded to the company in January 2011. The name
‘Ghaghoo’ is historically used by the locals to refer to the area and comes from the name of
an indigenous camel thorn acacia tree that is abundant in the region.
The Gope 25 kimberlite pipe was first discovered in 1981, with drill shafts to date reaching
1000m into the volcanic rock. Gem Diamonds states that once the sand tunnel is complete,
the decline will be extended to the kimberlite pipe, and Phase 1 of the mining will commence
at 45ktpm. In parallel with this, a bankable feasibility study will be done for Phase 2 of
the project.
The methodology used for the Ghaghoo Diamond Mine can be adapted to any type of softer
medium, as it is the safest and most efficient way to sink this kind of tunnel. Owing to the
ground-breaking nature of this project, it will place Redpath in good standing for future
projects. “It’s the first time this has been done anywhere in the world,” Jan concludes.
When completed, the
tunnel will be made
up of 8450 segments,
consisting of 845 rings.
From left:
The tunnel and opening to the
tunnel.
Redpath contractor operating the open faced
shield at the face.
Redpath contractors removing waste at the
rock face.
