Tanzania’s diamond production from the Williamson diamond mine in northwest Tanzania rose by 23% in Q3 2016 to 53,034 carats (ca), from 43,155 ca in Q3 2015.
This was indicated in the latest trading update, published by the majority owner of the mine, Petra Diamonds (LSE:PDL), on October 24th, 2016.
The update further notes that the commissioning of a new mill section at the Williamson mine is due to commence in Q4 2016.
“Upon commissioning, both throughput and grades will improve […],” Petra indicates.
Tanzania Diamonds
Diamonds in Tanzania are found mainly in the Williamson diamond mine, 23 kilometers (14 mi) northeast of Shinyanga, in the northern part of the country.
Petra Diamonds, through its subsidiary Williamson Diamonds Limited, holds 75% of the ownership rights over the mine, while the Government of Tanzania owns the remaining 25%.
In 2015, the company produced 202,265 ca and plans to increase its production to 350,000 ca per annum in 2017.
In 2015, Tanzania was the 10th largest diamond producer in Africa after Botswana (17.3m ca), Angola (7.1m ca), South Africa (6m ca), the Democratic Republic of Congo (3.15m ca), Namibia (1.92m ca), Sierra Leone (0.5m ca), Zimbabwe (0.5m ca), Lesotho (0.35m ca) and Ghana (0.24m ca).
According to Petra Diamonds, the Williamson mine contains large diamond resources of approximately 38.1m ca.
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