ASX-listed Burgundy Diamond Mines is intensifying its efforts to extend the operational lifespan of its Misery underground mine, located in Canada.
The initiative is part of Burgundy’s broader strategy to enhance the longevity of its projects.
Misery is the highest grade valued ore on the wider Ekati property with grades of about 3.12 ct/t and a population of rare yellow diamonds that are highly sought after by jewellery houses.
When Burgundy acquired the Ekati diamond mines, Misery had a mine plan ending late in 2025. However, based on a series of cub delineation holes drilled last year, mining observations in deeper levels and four preliminary probe holes drilled this year, make the company believe that the Misery main orebody is larger than originally modelled.
In addition, a south-west extension to the main orebody represents an exciting target area that will undergo further drilling and bulk sampling.
“Misery is an exceptional asset which can generate around A$350-million per annum in production value from just over a million tonnes of ore. Any additional tonnage we are able to declare through our drilling work will be significantly value accretive,” says CEO and MD Kim Truter.
Burgundy is rapidly advancing its evaluation work for both the Misery underground targets. The results of the Main ore body and the Southwest extension drilling programme will be released in the form of an updated mineral resource and ore reserve estimate in the fourth quarter of the year and the first half of 2025, respectively. Burgundy plans to publish its first updated mine plan before the end of the year.