Diamond Fields appoints feasibility study contractors
VANCOUVER, April 18 /CNW/ - Diamond Fields International (DFI-TSE) is
pleased to announce that it has appointed additional contractors for the final
feasibility study for a mining operation at the Company's 100% owned sea
diamond concessions near Luderitz, Namibia. The final feasibility study is
expected to be completed in July at an estimated cost of U.S.$500,000.
In addition to Seacore Limited of the UK who is responsible for design
and consultancy services for a viable mining system and support vessel, the
following additional contractors and consultant appointments have been made:
- AGRA Simons Limited, a division of AGRA Inc., has been appointed
as the study manager responsible for the overall report
preparation, coordination and technical review. MRDI, a wholly
owned division of AGRA Simons will be responsible for mineral
resource estimation. AGRA Inc. is Canada's largest engineering
and construction company. The study will be managed from the AGRA
Simons office in the UK. Mr. Andrew Winterbotham, a mechanical
engineer with over 20 years experience in the engineering, mining,
petrochemical, and marine industries, will serve as the project
manager. Mr. Winterbotham is also a qualified Naval Architect and
previously managed the scoping study for the Diamond Fields
project.
- Dowding Reynard Associates (DRA) has been appointed to provide
design criteria, basic engineering and estimating services for the
marine diamond processing plant and security systems. DRA, based
in South Africa, is a recognized leader in the design, supply and
installation of diamond and mineral processing facilities.
- Sue Lane and Associates (SLA) has been appointed as the
environmental consultant responsible for preparation of the
Environmental Management Plan Report (EMPR) for the proposed
mining operation. SLA is a Cape Town based environmental
consultancy and previously prepared the EMPR for the Diamond
Fields' recently completed Advanced Sampling Program.
- Diamond Tenders Belgium (DTB) has been appointed to provide
diamond industry overview, marketing strategy, and diamond pricing
information. DTB, based in Antwerp, sells rough diamonds on
behalf of third parties through a closed tender process and has
handled recent diamond sales for Diamond Fields. Sales executed
by DTB on behalf of Diamond Fields during 1999 yielded an average
price of US$160/carat.
All the agreements have been made directly with Diamond Fields. The
information data and analysis provided by these consultants and others will be
supplemented by Diamond Fields' geological, technical, and management input.
Mark Collins, Diamond Fields' Chief Operating Officer, is directing the
feasibility study.
Diamond Fields is an international diamond exploration and mining company
and continues to pursue diamond business opportunities worldwide with a
current focus on the development of its sea diamond concessions in Namibia.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF DIAMOND FIELDS INTERNATIONAL LTD.
Daniel D. Johnson
President and Director
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For further information: (604) 682-2113; Investor Relations: Don
Halliday (604) 608-0826, Website - www.diamondfields.com
PHIL |
