Management | Policy Statement | Sierra Leone Alluvial Diamond Mining Project
Project Overview | Project Description | Personnel |

Management
 

Gerhard Ferreira
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR
Nationality: South African Age: 35. Married. Languages: Afrikaans, English, French. Education: Senior certificate (1990), Marine Electrician SA Navy (1993), IBM Personnel Management (1998)
A+ Computer Technician (1999), Flowsort technician (2002)

1. 2000-2002 Sonop Diamond mine (South Africa) - Mine foreman.
2. 2000-2004 Trivalence Mining - Aredor (Guinea) - Mine Engineer and Sort house supervisor.
2. 2004-2005 Flowsort and Flow Mining (South Africa) - X-ray diamond sorter machine technician and mine manager.
3. 2005-2006 McDermott Offshore Construction (Middle-East) - Electronic engineer
4. 2006-20007 Kariba Kono (Promet Engineers) Kono District Sierra Leone - Mine Engineer and diamond sorter.

Dr Ivan Jardine 
DIRECTOR

Allan Young
MARKETING DIRECTOR
Nationality: Taiwan. Age: 45. Married. Languages: Afrikaans, English.

Everdiamond Company (Taiwan) 1997-2004 Diamond Technical Advisor.

1. Antwerp, Belgium (Europe) Rouph/Polish diamond buyer May 2004-October 2004.
2. Bassad Mining Guinea Conakry (West Africa) Rough diamond operator / Sorter Oct. 2003 -April 2004.
3. Sierra Leone Rough diamond buyer May 2002 - Sep. 2003 (West Africa).
4. Accra, Ghana Rough diamond buyer Dec. 2000-April 2002 (West Africa).
5. Everdiamond Company Technical Advisor / Trainer 1997-2000.
6. Shanghai Diamond Cuttin Works (China) Technical Advisor/Trainer - 1992/1996
7. Milo Diamond Cutting Works Technical Advisor/Trainer 1985-1990

Thomas I. Tucker
DIRECTOR
Nationality: Sierra Leone, Age 36, Married, Languages: English, plus local Member of the Kaimondoh family, and son of Paramount Chief Alhaji Kaimondoh. Substantial experience of localised alluvial mining operations, especially within the Kono Chiefdom, both on family sites, and for GIL. Employed as General Manager with GIL from 1996 to date and has travelled to the UK on a number of occasions for in house training, etc. in addition to Board level responsibilities, will be involved in general mining operations, logistics, etc., with particular emphasis on manpower management and control.
 

Who are we? | Management | Policy Statement |
Sierra Leone Alluvial Diamond Mining Project |Project Overview |
Project Description | Personnel

BMC is fully aware of its responsibilities concerning operating in a country that is still recovering from internal problems, and where a healing process is to be encouraged.

BMC is primarily a diamond mining operation and as such will, in its working practices, protect the investments of its shareholders. Parallel to this it will also be involved in the direct needs of the people living close to its fields of operation. BMC is committed to a three pronged policy:

Mining BMC is committed to a code of practice that encompasses many fundamental issues in today's world. BMC considers itself to be an ethical company in both its business methodology and social responsibilities. BMC will not abuse its privilege within the Sierra Leone community to either circumvent local laws and customs or exploit the local work force as regards wages and working conditions. BMC will not use toxic or dangerous chemicals or procedures that could endanger the local environment or people.

Environmental. By law we are required to replace flora where removed for mining purposes. We will go beyond the minimum by involving local environmentalists in our efforts to replace flora in such a way that it restores original natural landscapes where long term benefits can be achieved for the local population.

Humanitarian. In conjunction with the local area management of voluntary organisations, we are carrying out research in how best to aid programmes related to the impact of BMC activities in the region and how best we can implement training and assistance courses for the local populace. The long term aim of this policy is to establish a centre of learning and experience beneficial to neighbouring areas and countries.

J. Van Herbert

Managing Director

Who are we? | Management | Policy Statement |
Sierra Leone Alluvial Diamond Mining Project |Project Overview |
Project Description | Personnell
 

BLUE MINING CORPORATION is a new mining company, established to develop and exploit diamond mining interests in West Africa, initially in Sierra Leone.

Historically, mining ventures are high risk, high returns. BLUE MINING CORPORATION intends to minimise the risk element, at the same time maintaining a high return on investment.

The integrity of the venture, and its aims, will be based on two key elements.

Firstly, by entering into legal agreements with the landowners (chiefdoms), which obviate the initial costs of purchasing leases of the land acreage.

Secondly a policy of spread mining whereby the plant and machinery will be employed on several sites simultaneously thereby having the advantage of being able to rapidly transfer equipment to very productive sites from less productive sites as and when required. This therefore maximises the efficiency of plant and machinery, which is initially the most capital intensive.

By implementing the above strategy, it confirms the Corporate policy of protecting original investment funds from early depreciation and risk, along with inclusion of short term high yield profits, combined with long term growth, and more importantly achieving the level of production that normally entails multi million dollar investment.

Pre production work commenced in 1998 but was halted to due the countries internal problems. Since the cessation of these problems, agreements have been negotiated and signed with three chiefdoms for the mining rights on their land. Negotiations are continuing for further mining rights in other parts of Sierra Leone.

Once investment has been made in BMC, mining can commence within sixty days, with first returns expected within 120 days.
 

Who are we? | Management | Policy Statement |
Sierra Leone Alluvial Diamond Mining Project |Project Overview |
Project Description | Personnel
 

John van Herbert signing a contract with Paramount Chief Ibrahim Kaimondo

John van Herbert signing a contract with Chief Sahr Besibi.

BMC is committed to establishing itself in Sierra Leone and becoming a successful operation not only in the field of diamond mining but also in the humanitarian field. The initial phase is over the next three years in which BMC will strengthen its foothold with the local Chiefs and Central Government.

Year 1
This will be a crucial year in which BMC will be able to establish its mining procedures and policies. The year will also see a streamlining of the operation in as far as a mining "rhythm" goes. Ensuring that it maximises use of its labour force and plant.

Integration into the local communities is essential to ensure future cooperation from the local Chiefs who provide both land for mining and the majority of the labour.

Year 2
BMC anticipates an expansion by month 6 in Year 2 (At this time investments will have been repaid in full). BMC has an option for 8 acres of gold producing land along the Pampani North River.

BMC would intend to develop a further 8 acres at Zimmi which would produce a minimum of 48.000 carats working 3 acres only at the end of Year 2

Year 3
In addition to exploiting the Kono fields with the possibility of the Pampani and Zimmi fields, the board of directors considers it essential that by Year 3, BMC needs a connection to direct retail sales of cut, polished and set stones, which would increase our profit margin considerably, with this in mind it is our intention to take a substantial holding in an established company, cutting, polishing, setting and selling direct to the public. The board is currently investigating the possibility with a company in Amsterdam that fits our required profile.

NB: Possible revenues and costs of incorporating the Pampani and Zimmi fields have not been incorporated into the forecasts as evaluations are currently underway into the potential ore/gem bearing percentiles of both fields

Who are we? | Management | Policy Statement |
Sierra Leone Alluvial Diamond Mining Project |Project Overview |
Project Description | Personnel
 

Because the nature of alluvial mining is dictated by the seasons and hence the level of the water table and volume of water in the river, the mining year can be divided into two seasons.

The wet and the dry season. Each season calls for different mining procedures and the production achieved reflects on each of these procedures.

DRY SEASON.
Mining occurs on the river beds, flats and in low and high terraces. These areas are mined in the dry season as the water table is at its lowest. However, in the case of the high and low terraces the water table is so low that it could be very expensive to mine. The ground will be hard and in most cases a long distance from the river. Therefore mining will be more viable and produce better results in the rivers and flats.

A typical operation in the river can be carried out in two ways.

Dredging: The Dredge is powered by a diesel engine. Equipped with an effective and efficient "5 Stage recovery system" designed to recover gold and gemstones. This economical dredge is the only one of its kind employing several unique patented recovery techniques. It can be shipped in a 20 foot container and field assembled anywhere This type of dredge has proven itself in the diamond fields of Africa.

1st Stage: The material is pumped through a single primary collector sluice box with deep riffles that are designed to separate and recover all coarse values of both gold and gemstones.
2nd Stage: All material less then 1/2 inch in diameter is classified into a collection sump located at the end of the primary collector sluice box. From there the material is pumped by a separate gravel elevator system to the vibrating classifier and then distributed into a 16 inch circular diamond jig.
3rd Stage: All 1 /2 inch or less material is again processed and classified down to 1/4 of an inch in the oscillating classifier. The 1/4 inch material is selectively separated through Sluice Box #1 which is located over the top of the primary collector sluice box, which is designed to recover larger gem stones and gold which otherwise may have been lost in standard recovery systems. The material is then sufficiently drained and moved through a separate recovery system at a controlled quantity and velocity.
4th Stage: All classified material that is less then 1/4 inch is processed into the 16 inch circular diaphragm jig. This process separates the heavier material that contains gold as well as black sands which exceed the weight of gemstones. It is essential to remove the heavier particles that exceed the specific gravity of the gem stones to successfully recover the finer and smaller grade gemstones. The circular jig will continue to allow all of the material less then 2 millimetres to be sifted through the jig screen and accumulate into a separate container for later processing.
5th Stage: All lighter material containing smaller gemstones will remain inside the jig. Any discharged material from the jig will flow into the final recovery stage within Sluice Box #2. Again, this sluice can be metered separately to recover all smaller gemstones quickly and efficiently. The dredge is also equipped with a separate vacuum system that can be operated by a "dredge tender" to assist in preventing the primary collector box riffles from overloading while the dredge is in operation. This material may contain large values and may be pumped into a separate container and removed from the location for sorting in a secured area.

Coffer Dam
(See 2 on the diagram on page 15) A coffer dam is built from one point of the river bank to another point on the same bank, or the river diverted (if the need a rises). The dam is built with the bulldozers. making use of any boulders in the river to reinforce the dam. The water is pumped out and gravel extraction is done by using the front end loader and the draglines. Here labourers are used to clean the bed‑rock by hand as the machinery is unable to clean between the rocks and crevices. The extracted gravel will yield diamonds but the highest yield will be found against the bedrock and in the crevices.

River flats mining is carried out by using the bulldozer to clear the vegetation and overburden and the dragline to remove the gravel which contains the diamonds. Here pumps are used to empty the water from the pits which usually go below the water table. Final extraction is done by labourers.
WET SEASON
During the wet season, while the river level is in flood, the mining is carried out on the river flats, high and low terraces.

The river is high and swift and it is dangerous to mine in the river. However, it can be done but only after a very strong coffer dam is built and this can be expensive. Therefore mining is done by the following methods.

River flats. (See 3 on the diagram on page 15) Here a strong levee is left between the river and the area to be mined. Mining is done by using the dozer to raise the levee at the river bank, the dragline to extract the overburden and eventually to extract the gravel. Labourers are also used here to do the final cleaning up.

Dredging (See 4 on the diagram on page 15) A key is cut into the river bank and the dredge is positioned in the pit. The gravel is then pumped out of the pit and eventually washed. Here labourers are not used to clean the bed rock as it is under water. However, if the excavated key area is found to have large amounts of rocks and boulders the water will be pumped out and the area later mined properly.

High and Low Terraces. (See 5 on the diagram on page 15) Mining carried out with the bulldozer, dragline and the front end loader. If the terraces are some distance from the river, the gravel is simply stacked until the extraction procedure has been completed and then the gravel is transported to the washing plant. This enables heavy plant to be used in other areas.

Gravel Washing. Washing the gravel in all the procedures described above is realised by using washing plants. These plants are made locally and are semi mobile. Water, at a rate of 1,200 litres per minute is pumped by using the water pumps. The pressure of the water separating the gravel and thus the heavier diamonds sink through sieve trays whilst the waste is washed away. More than one plant will be in use during the washing periods. It is anticipated that up to four plants will be used.

Here about five labourers will work each plant. At times, extraction and washing goes on simultaneously which increases the number of labourers needed.

The Mining Unit Gravel Recovery
Each Mining Unit will have a Pontoon, which will operate an Airlift system. The complete setup is locally known as a "ferry". The units assembled by BMC will utilise materials imported from the UK, and will be in kit form allowing swift assembly/disassembly. In addition to the pontoon, the equipment list will include an Ingersoll‑Rand 250 cfm compressor, Ingersoll Rand 6" gravel pump, and Ingersoll‑Rand 10 kva generator.

Following final survey of the gravel beds, the pontoon is situated in position and is linked to the compressor, which remains on land. Divers work in rotation using 6‑8" suction hoses to first remove the sand from the riverbed (which is later graded for gold) and then to pump the gravel. The gravel is pumped into a holding container to await collect by the BMC transport, and taken to the washing plant.

Part of the Mining Unit fleet will include self contained diamond dredges, which allow the above operation to be undertaken by few personnel, but also allows washing and sorting of the gravel at the same time. However, these units require a key officer of BMC to be present at all times to monitor the washing of the gravel, so it is not anticipated that more than two dredges will be in use at any one time. However, the flexibility of dredges and pontoons will allow various pieces of equipment to be allied to selected sites.

During the rainy seasons, the rivers flow too heavily to allow river mining, so it is normal to begin land mining using heavy earthmoving equipment such as Caterpillar D7 bulldozers and draglines. 

Who are we? | Management | Policy Statement |
Sierra Leone Alluvial Diamond Mining Project |Project Overview |
Project Description | Personnel
 

Dredger barge
 

Personnel

For each licence to be worked, BMC will provide a Mining Unit, with a complete inventory of equipment and supplies to allow the unit to work efficiently and independently of the other sites. Each Mining Unit will have a Mining Manager to oversee and co-ordinate the extraction of the gravels, and to liase with the Inspectors from the Ministry of Mineral resources, mines division. The Mine Managers will be trusted key personnel, as each will be recruited from respected sources, and trained by BMC, or will be already known by members of the Board of Directors.

The Mining Managers will be co‑ordinated by the Operations Manager, who will liase between all the sites within the area, both with regard to supplies & services, fuel, personnel, and gravel collections.

In turn the Operations Manager will report to the Regional Manager, who will oversee all operations in the region, including mining, gravel washing, production delivery to Freetown, etc. Directors of the Company will also act as Regional Managers where possible, in order to maintain close scrutiny of all procedures.

In particular, the Regional Manager will be based at the Washing Plant to supervise all washing, sorting and grading.

When the gravel is pumped to the riverbank, it will go into a storage area, and guarded. The gravels will then be collected by the BMC transport vehicle and delivered to the central "washing plant". It is here that all the gravels are washed, and the diamonds (& gold) extracted for delivery to the Freetown office.

The normal working day is from 7:30 am to 5:30 p.m every day with a meal break of one hour at midday for lunch .All staff will be on a rota system and work a 6 day week even though the mining operation will be continuous over the seven days. Payment of overtime is minimised when working on rotation.

Supervisors and security staff are paid salaries monthly and on a rota system to ensure weekends are covered by key personnel.

Who are we? | Management | Policy Statement |
Sierra Leone Alluvial Diamond Mining Project |Project Overview |
Project Description | Personnel