JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Coloured gemstone miner Richland Resources has started preproduction mining at the Capricorn sapphire mine, in Queensland, Australia, confirming on Monday that mining operations were under way and that all earthmoving machinery required for production had arrived on site.

Richland expected its first commercial sapphire recovery in May, in preparation for sale of sapphires in June.

The Aim-listed group outlined in a statement that current operations were focused on the development of the first openpit, Pit 1, which would host the initial phase of sapphire mining this year.

Topsoil and overburden removal had started as part of the development of Pit 1, which was located within the pre-existing Joint Ore Reserve Committee-defined sapphire resource.

As part of the pit development work, a drilling contractor was on site and was working with Richland's geologists to define Pit 1's final openpit design, layout and mining.

Following completion of the production design work, confirmation and definition holes would be drilled to enhance the company's understanding of the resource.

The use of a small-scale processing facility had been secured near the mine and independent geologists and engineers were currently running samples of recovered sapphires through this pilot plant for assessment.

Earthmoving work was also under way to stabilise and rehabilitate areas disturbed by earlier operations.

“In addition to benefiting the production mining start, this work has been undertaken by Richland as part of its commitment to the Queensland government to help remediate the historic mine workings,” it noted in a statement.

Plant testing, meanwhile, continued successfully with the various circuits being configured for maximum efficiency, while cameras and other security measures were being installed at the processing plant.

Final sapphire separation, sorting and grading of the concentrate would be undertaken at the secure facility in the neighbouring town of Emerald and overseen by full modern gemstone security systems.

“Mining has started and we are now readying Pit 1 for commercial production of sapphires in May and expect to start sales of sapphires in June. Richland is approaching full mine start in a structured manner and, following reports submitted by independent mining consultants, we are undertaking infill drilling to help us finalise pit design.

“The Capricorn sapphire mine is an exciting opportunity. We look forward to supplying gemstone buyers with consistent quantities of certificated blue and 'fancy' stones,” commented CEO Bernard Olivier.