Grades at the first level of the KV1 kimberlite pipe on the Kareevlei project in South Africa have exceeded the expectations of owner and operator BlueRock Diamonds PLC (LON:BRD).
BlueRock is currently mining from two pipes at Kareevlei, KV1 and KV2. It has now processed ore from the first level, at 10 metres to 20 metres below surface, totalling 20,500 tonnes.
WATCH: Grades at BlueRock Diamonds KV1 pipe exceeding expectations
Grades ran at between 3.90 carats per hundred tonnes (cpht) and 5.11 cpht at an average grade of 4.51 cpht.
The average grade in 2017 when mining exclusively from KV2 was 2.45 cpht.
"Our current focus at Kareevlei following our recent fundraise is to materially step-up and de-risk our operations with a view to supplying a regular feed of undiluted, higher grade kimberlite,” said BlueRock chief executive Adam Waugh.