Rio Tinto opens Argyle underground diamond mine

Rio Tinto opened the new Argyle underground diamond mine in the east Kimberley region of Western Australia. Western Australia’s Minister for Mines and Petroleum Bill Marmion attended the commissioning ceremony and was joined by Traditional Owners, government representatives, Rio Tinto executives and employees.

The move from open pit mining to an underground operation will extend the life of Argyle until at least 2020 and the average annual production through the life of the underground mine is likely to be 20 million carats per year.

The US$2.2 billion underground mine is the first of its kind in Western Australia to use the latest in block caving technology.

Rio Tinto diamonds and minerals chief executive Alan Davies said the Argyle mine had produced some of the world’s most spectacular diamonds and had delivered many benefits to the local region. “The new Argyle underground mine has allowed us to extend the life of this iconic asset for Rio Tinto and Western Australia. I am proud that we can continue our contribution to local employment and the economic development of the East Kimberley region, as we have over the past quarter of a century.”

There is 70 percent of the workforce at Argyle which lives locally, making Argyle one of the largest contributors to the East Kimberley economy. Indigenous Australians account for one in four members of the local workforce. Since 25 years, the Argyle mine has produced some 800 million carats of rough diamonds including a small but consistent supply of the world’s rarest pink diamonds. Argyle Diamond Mine managing director Kim Truter said “A new chapter begins at Argyle and I am proud to acknowledge the many men and women who have contributed to the discovery and development of the mine and the production of some of the best diamonds the world as ever seen,” he said.