Mining Weekly quotes Rockwell Diamonds’ President and CEO John Bristow as saying that the company has exceeded its diamond production target from its three operating diamond mines in South Africa and is currently at a break-even point. He added that the company is “well placed” to return to profit.

Between June and September, the diamond mines’ production exceeded 2 500 ct/m due to operational and structural changes that Rockwell implemented in early 2009.

The Wouterspan diamond operation was placed on care-and-maintenance in February, following a reduction in staff.

The diamond exploration company noted that initiatives implemented to improve plant throughput and diamond recoveries have shown systematic benefit at all operations. The Saxendrift diamond mine has reportedly met expectations with regular recovery of large stones, including the most recent recoveries of diamonds of 122 carats, 120 carats, and 105 carats in recent months.

The company noted that the Klipdam diamond mine has also continued to meet production targets on a regular basis and continues to be the flagship operation. Since March, considerable effort has been devoted to re-engineering of the Holpan dense media separation (DMS).