Orapa

The word Orapa means “resting place for lions”.

Following detailed exploration by De Beers, diamonds were discovered at Orapa in 1967.

The mine began production in July 1971, and a nation awoke to the stunning reality of great wealth and a place on the global map.

Carats mined per year
Orapa produced 16 869 million carats of diamonds from 18 569 million tonnes treated in 2008. 

Mine type - geology and process
Orapa is a conventional open-pit mine.  The AK1 kimberlite at Orapa intruded Archaean and Karoo Supergroup strata some 93 million years ago. 

The kimberlite covers 118 hectares at surface but comprises two individual intrusions that coalesce near the surface. 

Rocks from all three facies (crater, diatreme, and hypabyssal) have been identified.  Current mining levels are contained within the crater-facies units.

In 2007 the mine faced significant mining challenges through a 3 million tonne slope failure, acute shortage of tyres, the late delivery of four new 190 tonne capacity haulers and mining at 200m depth.

The concentrate from Orapa, Letlhakane and Damtshaa goes to the multi-storey Completely Automated Recovery Plant (CARP) at Orapa.

Safety and Health
In 2007 Orapa and Letlhakane mines (which are managed as a unit) recorded seven lost time injuries with a LTIFR of 0,09.

The mines were certified ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 compliant in December 2007.  A fatality was recorded in February 2008. 

The LTIFR to end October 2008: 0.23.

Environmental responsibilities include a focus on water conservation, waste management and the management of the Orapa Game Park, which serves as a public recreation area and a source of environmental education for schools from the surrounding communities.

De Beers maintains a 100-bed hospital in Orapa that caters for employees, and acts as a referral hospital for the region. 

Orapa also provides pre-primary and primary schooling for employees' children.

Planning for closure
An initial closure plan has been developed.  This covers the scope of work that will be required to effect the physical closure of the mine infrastructure. Financial provision is being made to fund the closure work. 

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