Rio Tinto announced it will invest US$803 m to ramp up the underground block cave project at the Argyle Diamond Mine, Western Australia. Following a transition from the current open pit operation, the underground will be fully operational in 2013. The project will extend the life of the mine until at least 2019.
The AK1 pit experienced a wall failure at the end of 2007, which significantly reduced ore volumes from the mine. As a result, lower grade stockpiled ore was processed through the recovery plant. Diamonds recovered decreased to 15.1 million carats in 2008 from 18.7 million carats in 2007
Rio Tinto reported on 2007 operating performance for the Argyle Mine in Western Australia. Due to lower grades, diamonds recovered decreased to 18.7 million carats in 2007 from 29.1 million carats in 2006 despite a two per cent increase in the volume of ore treated. Mine productivity was lower due to mining at lower elevations in the pit. Improvement programmes are in place to mitigate the cost pressures brought about by the resources boom in Western Australia.
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