Mining Intelligence and News
Tanzania

Williamson Mine

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Overview

Mine TypeOpen Pit
StatusActive
Commodities
  • Diamond
Mining Method
  • Truck & Shovel / Loader
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SnapshotThe Williamson mine is renowned for producing beautifully rounded white diamonds and distinctive “bubble-gum” pink diamonds. Following the closure of Argyle, Williamson has become one of the most reliable sources of pink diamonds globally.

Williamson restarted production in July 2023 ahead of schedule, followed by a steady ramp-up through the Year. This enabled access to higher-grade ore. The Williamson grade profile is not homogenous and is governed by the rate of mining and stripping and which areas can be opened up for production at any given time.

Owners

SourceSource
CompanyInterestOwnership
Government of Tanzania 25 % Indirect
Petra Diamonds Ltd. 75 % Indirect
Williamson Diamonds Ltd. (operator) 100 % Direct
Petra Diamonds holds a 75% interest in Williamson Diamonds Limited, the owner and operator of the Williamson mine in Tanzania, while the remaining 25% is held by the Government of Tanzania.

On 31 May 2023, Petra Diamonds announced that it had entered into definitive transaction documents to implement the MOU from December 2022. This agreement involves the sale of 50% less one share of Petra’s stake in Williamson Diamonds Limited (Williamson) and a prorated portion of shareholder loans for a total of $15 million. The buyer, Pink Diamonds Investments Limited, is affiliated with Taifa, Williamson’s long-term technical services contractor.

Once the transaction and capital restructuring are completed, Petra and Taifa will each hold a 31.5% stake in Williamson, with Petra retaining control. Completion is subject to approvals from Tanzanian authorities, including the Fair Competition Commission, the Bank of Tanzania, and a tax ruling from the Tanzania Revenue Authority.

Contractors

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Deposit type

  • Kimberlite

Summary:

The mine is an open pit operation based upon the 146 hectare Mwadui kimberlite pipe, which is the world’s largest economic kimberlite to have seen continuous mining.

Reserves

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Mining Methods

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Comminution

Crushers and Mills

Milling equipment has not been reported.

Processing

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Production

During 2023, there was lower production due to Williamson being on care and maintenance for around 7 months of the year.

Restarted production in July 2023 ahead of schedule with steady ramp-up through FY2024.
CommodityProductUnits202420232022202020192018201720162015
Diamond Crystals k carats  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe
Diamond k carats  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe400341225213202
^ Guidance / Forecast.

Operational metrics

Metrics202420232022202020192018201720162015
Tonnes processed  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe5,495,470 t5,045,284 t4,071,592 t4,420,632 t4,426,044 t
^ Guidance / Forecast.

Production Costs

Commodity production costs have not been reported.

Operating Costs

Currency20242023202220202019201820172016
Total operating costs ($/t milled) USD  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe

Financials

Units20242023202220212020201920182017
Capital expenditures (planned) M USD
Capital expenditures M USD  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe 8.6   4.6   15  
Revenue M USD  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe 93   68.5   58.4  
Operating Income M USD  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe -50   13.4   -2.9  
Operating Cash Flow M USD  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe

Heavy Mobile Equipment

Fleet data has not been reported.

Personnel

Mine Management

Job TitleNameProfileRef. Date
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Oct 15, 2024

EmployeesContractorsTotal WorkforceYear
...... Subscription required 2024
...... Subscription required ...... Subscription required ...... Subscription required 2023
...... Subscription required ...... Subscription required ...... Subscription required 2022
...... Subscription required ...... Subscription required ...... Subscription required 2021
...... Subscription required ...... Subscription required ...... Subscription required 2020
...... Subscription required ...... Subscription required ...... Subscription required 2019
...... Subscription required ...... Subscription required ...... Subscription required 2018
...... Subscription required ...... Subscription required ...... Subscription required 2017
...... Subscription required ...... Subscription required ...... Subscription required 2016

Aerial view:

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