That $6bn TenderBook..., page-80

Diamonds :
I looked them up .
As a predictor of the future they represent  business, manifestation, realisation, proof and prosperity
(Tarot suit of Pentacles ).
Which leads me to speculate on the longer term consequences of our trial rehabilition program at the Argyle Diamond Mine .
So far it’s a $7 million dollar contract.
But the mine is due to close in 2020, and as you can see from the picture it’s quite large .
In the  words of  Shire of Wyndham East Kim-berley president David Menzel , there will  be “a fair bit of remediation work” . https://thewest.com.au/news/the-kimberley-echo/rio-tight-lipped-on-argyle-future-ng-b88764525z

From ABC Facebook  28 June 2018

Timeline Photos


ABC Kimberley

$7 MILLION REHABILITATION CONTRACT AWARDED FOR ARGYLE DIAMOND MINE

As the closure of the Argyle diamond mine draws closer, a major contract for rehabilitation work has been awarded to one of Australia's biggest civil and mining contractors.

NRW Holdings Limited announced to the ASX this week they have won a bid for a $7 million contract to do a trial rehabilitation project at the East Kimberley mine.

In a recent update released alongside Rio Tinto's 2017 annual report in March, it was revealed that Argyle's likely closure date had been brought forward to sometime in 2020.

A spokesperson said Rio Tinto was currently undertaking a mine closure pre-feasibility study for closing and rehabilitating the site.

"The pre-feasibility study is an important milestone in the path to operational closure of Argyle.

At this stage no decisions have been made on the final outcomes for mine closure at Argyle."

The report also revealed at the end of 2017, the estimated ore reserve was 16 million tonnes, down from 29 million tonnes, a drop of 45% from a year earlier.

“The remaining reserves underpin the operation until 2020, with opportunities to increase reserve estimates and extend the operational life subject to technical and financial performance."

Rio Tinto's Argyle mine in the East-Kimberley produces more than 90 per cent of Australia's diamonds, and is the only known source of pink diamonds in the world


It would be good if this led to ongoing work.
Not just at Argyle but potentially over at Ellendale ..a richly-resourced shut down diamond mine due to open about the same time Argyle closes..
https://thewest.com.au/business/min...e-still-at-least-two-years-away-ng-b88782656z
Last March this story noted there was $28 million of environmental clean up required
“While there will be no up-front rehabilitation costs, the new lessee will be required to undertake ongoing rehabilitation as part of any new mining operation.”(Mr Ric Rogerson Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety .)