Modern Mining January 2023

VENETIA UNDERGROUND PROJECT

2023 is a milestone year for De Beers Venetia mine – South Africa’s largest diamond mine and biggest source of rough diamonds in the country – as it transitions to underground development. But, while size matters, the hefty price-tag of $2,1-billion to get it into pro duction is not the only reason that the Venetia Underground Project (VUP) is considered a stand-out project. Aligned with the diamond major’s vision of being carbon neutral across its operations, and targeting a net positive impact on biodiversity, the VUP comes into production armed with a sustainability and technology roadmap to meet these goals. Modern Mining was recently on site and filed this report. By Nelendhre Moodley . VUP on-track for production in 2023

The $2,1-billion VUP is a standout project.

L ocated in the Limpopo Province on the border between Zimbabwe and Botswana, the Venetia mine has been in operation since 1992 and cel ebrates 30 years of delivering top quality, high value precious stones. The mine contributes 40% of the country’s annual diamond production. Following a sod-turning in 2013, which marked the start of underground mine development, the miner is on track to deliver an advanced automated mining operation to rival some of the world’s best. In looking to economically extract the kimberlites that extend well below the depth limit of open-pit operations, De Beers will mine the two orebodies at Venetia – K01 and K02 – which extend to depths of around 1 000 m below the surface. The project is being developed into three main construction areas – Top of Mine (TOM), Bottom of Mine (BOM) and Surface. TOM is the first four production levels (46L to 54L), while BOM (56L to 100L) is only mined through the shaft complex. “Despite the headwinds associated with the Covid-19 pandemic and other challenges, the VUP remains on track for commissioning and ramp up in 2023. Thereafter, construction and production ramp up will continue in parallel. All the work done in the nine years to date has brought us to the production starting blocks,” begins VUP project director, Allan Rodel. On a site visit in mid-November, the miner was tracking well on the development of critical surface and underground infrastructure and was nearing completion, or had just completed, many key proj ects, including the first of two vertical shafts, which

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De Beers Venetia mine transitions to underground development.

24  MODERN MINING  January 2023