The Koffiefontein Diamond Mine: The Hope that Lives

The Koffiefontein diamond mine, located about 80 km from Kimberley, South Africa, was opened for production as early as 1870. The mine’s remarkable longevity, however, was put to test several times as it was considered to have a poor yield, and it was closed several times in its histor.

In 2007, De Beers sold the mine to Petra Diamonds. According to Petra’s website, Koffiefontein indeed has a low grade deposit, but compensates for it in a “very high value” of its diamond production. Koffiefontein produces white diamonds of between 5 and 30 carats, and occasional fancy pink diamonds.

The company plans to expand operations in the mine, and by 2017, production is expected to come entirely from the underground mining of the Koffiefontein pipe.