West African Diamonds has announced plans to expand via mergers and acquisitions and stated that it expects its Bomboko diamond mine in Guinea to reach full capacity by the end of the current year.



Mining Weekly quotes the diamond exploration company as saying that monthly carat production at Bomboko is expected to exceed 2,000 carats upon reaching full capacity.



The Bomboko diamond mine was constructed during 2008 and the first part of this year. Operations commenced in June.



Mining Weekly quotes West African Diamonds chairperson John Teeling as saying that current diamond grades mined at Bomboko are within the expected range, averaging 6.5 ct/100 t, valued at $116/ct.



The company noted plans to increase diamond production by installing an additional 16-foot pan processing plant.



Teeling said that in recent years, there has been limited success in diamond exploration which may well lead to a supply deficit.



He added: “This impending shortage is the opportunity for West African Diamonds. We are a producer of high-quality stones. We have known reserves, we are experienced in the industry, but we are too small.” This is why the company is currently seeking mergers and acquisitions in order to expand.



The Bomboko license reportedly contains at least 750,000 carats of diamonds.