Cape Town - Anglo American on Thursday announced the commissioning of De Beers’ Gahcho Kué, the world’s largest new diamond mine, in the Northwest Territories of Canada.
Gahcho Kué is expected to reach full commercial production in the first quarter of 2017.
The joint venture between De Beers, which holds 51 percent, and Mountain Province Diamonds is projected to produce an average of 4.5 million carats per year over an anticipated life of 13 years.
De Beers chief executive Bruce Cleaver said: “Starting the ramp-up to production at Gahcho Kué on time, on budget and in a challenging environment is a remarkable achievement from the team. The mine is an exceptional resource in terms of carat volume, value and its potential to create meaningful economic opportunity for the surrounding community.”
Mark Cutifani, Anglo American chief executive and De Beers chairman, added: “Our successful development of Gahcho Kué is testament to the technical expertise of the entire project team, the sensitive approach we take towards our surroundings and the strength of the relationship with the community local to the operation.
“Discovering and bringing to fruition a new source of diamonds of this quality reminds us all of the rarity value of diamonds.”
AFRICAN NEWS AGENCY