Just spent a few days above 65 latitude at the Tahera Diamonds Jericho Project mine camp. It took a few days to get up there - pretty remote. The ice roads have melted way to early so the only way in is by air. The tundra is way to rough and there are a zillion lakes and ponds.
I was granted the amazing opportunity to not only work to increase their equipment reliability and improve their fuel consumption but to get a first hand look at their operation. They actually gave me the incredible privilege to hold one of their diamonds – an uncut 22ct. number that was estimated to be worth at least $10,000 in its rough state. DeBeers visits them very often to either agree or disagree with their graders. They pull about 28,000ct.s a month out of this pipe. The biggest diamond they have gotten so far is over 60cts worth more than $100,000.
BTW – the security is pretty serious. In fact, I signed a form that gave them the right to actually open me up surgically to look for any rocks. Cavity searches are passé!
