Tanzania Diamond Mine's Life Extended to 50 Years

The only diamond mine of significance in Tanzania was recently reevaluated and has been found to be capable of producing precious gems for far longer than had previously been thought. Although the Williamson mine's official mine plan states that it can produce diamonds for another eighteen years, an interim management statement issued by the mine's owners earlier this month states that it can actually produce for another fifty at least, Mining.com reports.

As a result, diamond company Petra has decided to gradually increase ore processing over the next three years from 2.5 million tons annually to 3.6 million tons annually. The Mwadui kimberlite of the project contains a resource pegged at nearly 40 million carats, All Africa reports.

Tanzanian university professor Dr. Hildebrand Shayo responded to the news with enthusiasm, saying the Williamson mine was believed to be inexorably in decline. At 146 hectares, Williamson is said to be the largest economic kimberlite in the world, by surface area.

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