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Auction of abandoned Ellendale mining plant

Abandoned mining plant equipment from the former Ellendale Diamond Mine will go under the hammer in a public auction on June 17.

Three items will be available at the auction including two 1300mm x 7500mm Rubber Belt Conveyors and a 1650mm Wide x 5000mm Long Bond Equipment Screen.

The auction will be held by John Mathews and Sons through email and phone bids.

Onsite inspections can be organised prior to the auction on Thursday 10 and Friday 11 June to view and assess the condition of the equipment.

Executive Director Environment Division Phil Gorey said the auction was another step in ensuring the Ellendale site remains safe, stable and non-polluting.

Long Bond Equipment Screen
Long Bond Equipment Screen

“The owner and operator at Ellendale, the Kimberley Diamond Compand NL, entered into administration in July 2015 and mining activities have currently ceased,” Dr Gorey said.

“The site has since been gazetted under the Mining Rehabilitation Fund Act 2012 as an abandoned mine site.

“Recent rehabilitation efforts from the department have included the removal of hydrocarbons and windblown rubbish, remediation of the industrial tip area, and re-establishment of walls within the tailings dams.

“All profits associated with the sale of these three pieces of mining equipment will be administered to the liquidators associated with the Ellendale site.”

The Ellendale site is locked and access to the site is monitored.

All visitors, including those that still have purchased items that remain on site must register with DMP to arrange access.

“Ellendale will not be fully rehabilitated or closed by DMP through the Mining Rehabilitation Fund (MRF) process, as it remains a viable resource project,” Dr Gorey said.

“Ellendale is well known internationally as a source of high quality fancy yellow diamonds and the tenements associated with Ellendale contain a substantial diamond potential.”

DMP has received expressions of interest from a range of stakeholders regarding Ellendale and it is expected that mining will recommence at the site in the next couple of years.

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