Newfield Resources Limited summing up the operational update about the Tongo Diamond Mine Development in Sierra Leone said that while underground drill rigs, loaders and haul trucks have arrived on site and have also been commissioned; blasting of the underground decline is to commence shortly.  Meanwhile, surface infrastructure construction continues at the portal, plant site and main camp; and a 100 tph plant earthworks has been commenced and plant fabrication is ongoing in South Africa.

The underground mining machinery, which comprises 2x Jumbo Drill Rigs, 2x 15 tonne Haul Trucks and 2x LHD Loaders, arrived on site “slightly later than planned” due to shipping delays out of China. “The machines have been customs cleared, have undergone commissioning and are now ready to commence drilling, blasting and hauling of the underground decline at the portal,” Newfield said. Support equipment, which was shipped out of South Africa, has also been received on site.

Infrastructure Construction has focussed on the completion of two accommodation blocks (38 rooms), worker’s canteen, change houses, lamp rooms, administration and mining offices, generator and compressed air bays, mining water supply, explosives magazine and security buildings, the Company intimated. Currently the workforce comprises over 360 employees, of which 38 are skilled expatriates.

“Box Cut, Portal and Decline Stripping back of the upper levels of box cut has been completed and the area for the portal entrance prepared for drilling and blasting,” the Company revealed. “The decline will have initial dimensions of 6m (wide) by 4m (high) for the first 200m and is located approximately mid-way between the high grade Kundu and Lando kimberlite dykes. After 200m the decline will be split into two smaller declines of 4m x 4m each which will respectively be developed towards the Kundu kimberlite to the north and the Lando kimberlite to the south in accordance with the detailed mine design.”

Meanwhile, the Company is also conducting ongoing exploration and resource expansion programme at Tongo.

The first phase drilling of the upper levels of the Panguma Kimberlite (which lies approximately 4 km south-west of the Kundu/Lando underground portal) was completed in late 2019. Selected samples collected as a result, have been processed and sent for a     microdiamond analysis. “Using the results of the microdiamond data and historical bulk sampling, modelling of diamond grades and revenues for the Panguma kimberlite is being conducted by independent experts,” the Company said. “Once these results are available this will allow MPH Consulting (Toronto) to complete a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate for the Panguma kimberlite,” Newfield said.

Newfield Executive Director, Karl Smithson, commented: “Newfield is rapidly advancing the Tongo Diamond Mine development. With the arrival of the mining and support equipment we are now ready to commence the drilling and blasting of the underground decline. At the same time the surface infrastructure construction is ongoing and the 100tph plant fabrication is progressing well. We remain on track to produce our first diamonds in 4Q 2020 and look forward to providing further updates as we progress.”