Modern Mining January 2023

had been permitted by the DMRE in August 2022. Working in partnership with Orica, the miner has neared completion of an ammonia nitrate emulsion plant, with Phase 1 on schedule for completion in March and Phase 2 in November 2023. Construction on its tailing’s storage facility is underway with the dam being developed to meet the mine’s demands to 2046 and, while the current business plan for VUP targets mining to 2046, Rodel says there is significant opportunity to expand the project beyond this time frame. As the construction and installation of the five water doors is critical to fast-tracking the project, at the time of the mine visit, De Beers had already installed the first one. Other significant infrastructure advancements include the completion of pump stations in the TOM and the establishment of production drives on lev els 46 and 49. VUP will eventually mine 6 Mtpa ROM to produce between 4,5 and 5,5-million carats per year – vol umes reflective of the open pit operation. The TOM portion will deliver full production of around 4 Mtpa after about four years, following which the BOM will move into production, enabling nameplate capacity to be achieved in 2026. Waste development for the BOM construction access will increase in 2023 when we start using the production shaft western skips to hoist material,” Rodel explains, adding that the production ramp up beyond 2024 is dependent on the successful com pletion of the primary crusher on 54L and the BOM ground handling system.

The VUP comes into production at an opportune time – just as the global population surpasses eight billion people, which underpins future demand of resources and precious stones coupled with the forecast of a steep rise in the number of millionaires over the next few years.

Top and above: The VUP is being developed in line with sustainable business practices.

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January 2023  MODERN MINING  25