Page 17 - 25 Reasons

For many mining concerns, deep explorations are too expensive for too little reward, however, Venetia is different and is expected to yield
the bedrock of ‘‘
millions of carats a year in the near future
become symbolic as a “game-changing” operation operations on the ground, even though De Beers
for De Beers Group, which was confirmed by the Group’s mines are literally worlds apart.
$2 billion (R28 billion) invested a few years ago into When City Press spoke to Zikalala, she was
extending the mine’s operation underground. about to depart on her second visit to Canada’s
“That’s unusual for the times we’re in. These Northwest Territories, where, together with
days, there is not a lot of substantial investment It’s really about Mountain Province Diamonds, De Beers Group runs
going into developing underground mines. Most several outfits.
companies are looking at extending the life of their investing in the One of them is Gahcho Kué, a mine so remote
existing operations because new vertical operations that it’s described as a “fly-in fly-out operation”.
are regarded as too costly and too risky.” future of mining She says that, apart from the thrill of visiting
However, given its inflexible emphasis on the terrain that’s completely different to what we’re
safety of its employees and on efficient exploration, in this country – used to in South Africa – temperatures can easily
coupled with a history rooted in rock-solid ability, plummet to -30°C – she always feels like she’s really
De Beers Group decided to forge ahead with its at home.
Venetia underground project, a deep-level “They are true De Beers Group people, known
development that will extend the life of the mine our economy for their sparkle and the energy and commitment
beyond 2040. they bring to putting safety first.
With on-target work progressing smoothly, “Because of our business interests in Canada, we
Venetia’s underground mine is expected to deliver have to see how we’re doing abroad because it’s
its first carats as early as late 2021 – “definitely by sinking a production shaft from where our first important for us to constantly strive towards
2022”, says Zikalala. carats will also be mined. From the production sustaining our partnerships.”
“Once we start getting our initial production shaft, we have started with a services shaft that will While there, she will also visit the Chidliak
from a carat volume perspective, we will continue get us closer to the kimberlite.” resource they are looking into mining on Baffin
to spend capital until we get to a full ramp-up Zikalala says that the production shaft has been Island in the far northwestern reaches of Nunavut.
level from a comprehensive capacity point of view. sunk to 1 023m and is currently being fitted with “We know that the diamonds are there and we
We will then continue to heavily invest in loading boxes at 1 000m, as well as its deepest end are looking at how we will mine it. But, because
operations because, ultimately, it is all about point. we are committed to smart mining techniques and
getting the mine into a space where we will have In addition, the services shaft has been sunk to a technology, and because of the environmental
fully commissioned all the different areas of it.” level of 1 000m, where station construction is in sensitivity of this area, we are looking at going
Looking well ahead of time, Zikalala says it’s progress. The production shaft is expected to go ahead with much precautionary preparation.”
quite possible that the current development of into operation in February 2022, and the services She says this involves figuring out logistical
underground mining at Venetia could extend the shaft in February 2023. aspects like ferrying mine workers back and forth
mine’s life even beyond 2025. Well before then, though, “the initial deadline into the Arctic Circle, “because safety is key to
“But there is a lot that is happening and will allow us to have access to our first carats in whatever we do”.
changing very fast in terms of FutureSmart 2021”. “Added to this is figuring out how we will get to
Mining™ [Anglo American’s innovation-led Zikalala reckons that, at the height of operation, the resource and how we will bring the mined
approach to sustainable mining] and when we get Venetia’s underground mine will deliver about product to the surface.
to a mid-century time frame and there is still a 4 million carats a year. “Before we go ahead with actual mining, we
resource left, we will consider how to proceed in “It’s really about investing in the future of mining need to be sure that we have checked all realities
an environmental and ethical manner befitting of in this country – the bedrock of our economy. But and potential incidentals from a predictive and
the times.” it’s also an investment in underground mining at a preparatory point of view.”
With so much talk about sustainability and time when it’s not really favoured by our peers.” Any breakthroughs made on any of the
safety dominating conversation about hoped-for Though leading De Beers Group’s future company’s sites, particularly in the all-important
future achievements, it’s also important to keep commitment to South Africa, Zikalala also has her areas of safety and innovation, will be brought
track of present milestones. commitments to the company’s Canadian interests. home – where Anglo American has committed to
“It’s actually been very good so far,” Zikalala says. Zikalala reiterates how important it is to leave being a part of South Africa’s economic future for
“We’re doing well with top-of-line development, the comfort of her office and immerse herself in many years to come.
ANGLO AMERICAN 25 REASONS TO BELIEVE 17