CURRENT & RECENT FLAGSHIP PROJECTS
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UMS has successfully delivered numerous flagship projects that demonstrate our capability, innovation, and commitment to excellence. Our experience spans across mining, metallurgy, and infrastructure development, positioning us as a trusted leader in the industry.
FEATURED FLAGSHIP PROJECTS
Karowe Diamond Mine Project
Karowe Diamond Mine Project
Location:
Botswana
Scope:
Ventilation Shaft (6m diameter, 715m deep),
Production Shaft (8.5m diameter, 765m deep)
Solution:
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Outcome:
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Project Overview:
The Karowe Diamond Mine (KDM)S is an existing open pit mine located in Central Botswana. The mine began commercial operations in July 2012 and currently operates a 2.7 Mt/a processing facility. The KDM has mined and processed approximately 20 million tonnes of ore since the start of operations.
The current open pit reserve is expected to be fully depleted by 2025. The mine currently has approximately two years of stockpiled kimberlite ore. Lucara has evaluated extending the mine life by mining underground after the completion of open pit mining, with the processing of stockpiles taking place opportunistically through the mine life. Stockpiles are also expected to provide all the mill feed material for the last two years of planned mill operations.
Access to the underground mine will be from a 796 m deep production shaft, 8.5 m in diameter, driven from the surface to 245 m AMSL. The shaft will be equipped with two 21 t skips for production hoisting and a service cage for man and material movement through the mine. There is also an Auxiliary single drum winder provided in the Production shaft that will provide personnel transport to the underground levels.
This shaft will also serve as the main fresh air intake to the mine. A second shaft, 6.0 m in diameter, 729 m deep, driven from surface to 267 m AMSL. This shaft will serve as the main exhaust route and secondary egress for the mine. The two shafts are offset from the kimberlite pipe approximately 375 m northwest of the South Lobe, well outside of the potential subsidence zone, and 100 m from each other.
The UMS scope is to sink, line and equip the Production Shaft and to sink and line the Ventilation Shaft. The initial station lateral development phase is also part of our current scope:
- Ventilation Shaft (6m diameter, 715m deep)
- Production Shaft (8.5m diameter, 765m deep)
Technical shaft sinking parameters:
- Sinking advance = 3,8 m per blast (36,5 hr cycles)
- Drilling method: 4 & 6 boom pneumatic jumbos
Cleaning method: VSM Clam muckers