The West Coast Diamond Event and Excursion
The West Coast Diamond Event and Excursion, held on May 17 and 18 in Port Nolloth, in the Northern Cape, and hosted by the Geological Society of South Africa’s (GSSA's) Northern Cape branch, has been lauded as a “great success” with positive feedback received from attendees.
This is according to the organiser Lisani Geological Services founder and MD Loni Gallant, who has two decades of mining industry experience throughout Africa. She is also the chairperson of GSSA’s Northern Cape branch.
Trigon Adamas director and managing partner Gregory Katz, who has more than 35 years of experience in diamond trading, Namdeb senior geologists Collin Mbangu and Deoné Strauss, Paleostone director Lyndon de Meillon and Stellenbosch University research fellow Mike de Wit gave presentations at the event.
These provided insights into alluvial mining in South Africa, including understanding the primary source of alluvial diamonds on the country’s West Coast, as well as the evolution of exploration techniques and beneficiation of these diamonds.
The presentations were followed by a field trip hosted by senior geologist Kabelo Mongalo, Kleinzee Holdings and BCon Mining.
The event demonstrated that there are still diamonds to be mined on the West Coast and that the industry is not failing, despite negative perceptions surrounding events such as the proposed takeover of Anglo American by BHP (or others), and the unbundling of Anglo and divestment of De Beers, Incubex Minerals COO Dr John Bristow tells Mining Weekly.
He says it is his view that De Beers would fare better as a standalone company, making its own decisions.
Bristow also highlighted the good turnout and support of young geologists and technocrats attending the event.