Angola’s Escom eyes May production from new diamond mine

It would produce 53,000 tonnes of battery-grade lithium carbonate annually over a 40-year mine life, with plans to expand to 60,000 tpy.

Bids came in from 12 regions across Australia, Europe, Japan, Hong Kong, the Middle East, Singapore and North America, Rio said.

Revised life-of-mine plan will reduce total waste stripping by 65.8 million tonnes, leading to an estimated cost saving of $180 million.

The world’s largest diamond producer by value has reportedly cut prices between 10% and 15% across the board.