russet,
Most ore deposits(diamond deposits included) are developed incrementally through a number of expansion phases. Adding additional crushing milling, sorting capacity is the quick, comparatively cheap part. The major expense is developing the underground workings/headings. For an example of an underground mine expanding to 5000 tonnes per day from different access points, and mining a narrow sheet, often with thicknesses less than 6 feet(1.8 meters), but with a steeper dip, and with comparable value per tonne to Snap Lake, check this site out:
stillwatermining.com
I don't have a problem with a "modest" initial production rate at Snap Lake. IMO, maximum daily mining rates could eventually exceed the proposed mining rate at Diavik, or get to between 4200 and 5000 tonnes per day or more. I believe this could take two or three years after initial production commences, and through two or three expansion phases. The rumor mill suggests that this is at least a year away as the talk on SW is of a 25-30,000 tonne underground bulk sample included in this upcoming season's program.
regards,
teevee |
