By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Anglo American’s diamond mining subsidiary, De Beers Group, has delivered first production from the underground operations at the Venetia mine, in Limpopo.
The overall construction of the underground mine is now 70% complete, with construction and production ramp-up to continue over the next few years.
In 2012, the global firm started digging beneath the country’s largest diamond mine, Venetia, seeking to reach gems at a depth of more than 1,000 metres (3,250 feet).
Venetia is an open mine, close to the border with Zimbabwe and Botswana, that closed in December 2022 after 30 years of production.
The firm described the first diamonds as “a key milestone” but did not give further details.
The facility is expected to produce about 4 million carats of diamonds annually, De Beers said after rectifying earlier, higher estimates.
Correcting a previous statement, the firm also revised up its investment in the underground project from $2.2 to $2.3 billion.
South Africa is one of the world’s largest diamond producers as well as a leading miner of other precious metals including gold, chromium and platinum.
Diamond mining in the country began in the second half of the 19th century but miners have often had to dig deeper, shouldering higher costs, in recent years as gems closer to the surface deplete.
De Beers managed operations’ director Moses Madondo said the investment enhanced the group’s “production for the long term” and was an indication of its commitment to South Africa.
“We look forward to seeing this high performing team continue the good work as we ramp up production over the next few years,” he said.