DIAMONDS: Dominion issues reserve and resource numbers for Ekati

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES – Dominion Diamond Corp. of Toronto has released a new reserve and resource estimate for the Ekati diamond mine at Lac des Gras. The current reserves will support production to 2019.

The property hosts 150 known kimberlites, with mineral resources estimated for eight pipes and reserves for five pipes. The indicated resource (including reserves) is 105.7 million tonnes containing an estimated 127.5 million ct. The probable reserve is 20.6 million tonnes containing 19.6 million ct. The inferred resource is 24.9 million tonnes containing 19.1 million ct.

Dominion says it is operating three mines at this time. An incline caving method is in use at the underground Koala, and a sub-level retreat method at Koala North. The Fox pit is active, but the Misery pit is undergoing a pushback.

The life of the Ekati project may be extended beyond 2019 if the Jay, Lynx, Sable and Fox deep mineral resources are deemed economic to mine. Additional feed for the plant could come from stockpiled material at the site if grades are sufficient to warrant treatment.

See the news release dated April 24, 2013, at DDCorp.ca, for a breakdown of capital and operating costs through the anticipated life of the project.