Argyle Diamonds

The Argyle Diamond Mine is the worlds largest supplier of diamonds, currently producing around 25% of the annual global diamond output.

Diamond exploration commenced in the Kimberley in 1972 and in 1979 the first diamond were discovered in Smoke Creek just downstream from the location of the Argyle Diamond mine site today.

Construction began on the open pit and process plant in 1983 and was fully operational 1985. The open cut pit known as the AK I pipe is a massive two kilometres long and one kilometre wide and covers an area of almost 300 hectares. The mine operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The technology used is state-of-the-art and the processing plant is one of the most efficient in the world.

Each year about 80 million tonnes of rock is extracted from the open cut yeilding about 10 million tonnes of ore. From this ore about 30 million carats (6-7 tonnes) of diamonds are recovered each year.

Open cut mining is expected to continue to 2008. Argyle has just recently completed a feasability study into underground mining which will have the potential to extend the mine life as far as 2024.

Argyle Diamonds employ around 750 people with the majority working at the minesite.
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