In its quarterly production and sales update for the three months ended May 31, 2016 (Q1 FY 2017) Rockwell Diamonds Inc. said that both production and sales had seen an increase for the period.

The Company reported an increase of total volumes processed in Q1 2017 by 32%  compared to  Q1 2016 and by 7% increase compared to  Q4 2016. This, the Company said was “chiefly due to substantially higher volumes mined and processed at RHC”.

While the Middle Orange River (MOR) grades were up 12% compared to Q4 2016; and Saxendrift grades were up by 21%; at Remhoogte (RHC) there was a drop in grades by 11%.

Sales of 4,880 carats, reflected an increase of 3% as against sales in Q4 2016 and a growth of 59% as compared to Q1 2016.

The revenue from sales of US$9.1 million (excluding beneficiation) marked an increase of 31% compared to Q4 2016; and 67% as against Q1 2016. Total sales (including royalty contractors’ production but excluding beneficiation) were also up by 31% on Q4 2016 and 40% on Q1 2016, the Company reported.

At US$1,864, the average price per carat for the period marked an improvement of 27% compared to Q4 2016. 

Notable amongst the diamonds recovered in Q1 2017 were thirty +20-carat stones recovered at Saxendrift and RHC -- with the three largest stones being +96, +90 and +60.

Rockwell reported that 997 carats of diamonds were carried over into the second quarter of fiscal 2017 (including royalty contract goods).

James Campbell, CEO and President commented: “Our performance in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 is reflecting the effects of the improvements that we have been implementing following the strategic interventions of late FY 2016. Productivity has been enhanced on our operations with the result of improved diamond recoveries and diamond values.”

He added: “We are pleased with the progress on the Wouterspan project. Early stage mining has so far produced a 100,000m3 stockpile, with which we can commence early commissioning of the wet processing plant, whilst construction of the Phase II In-Field Screening plant is being completed.”