Mining Weekly reports that diamond producer Trans Hex will be placing its Baken mine, in the Northern Cape, on care and maintenance from 1 November.  

The miner on Friday said that, while every effort had been taken to sustain operations at the mine, its low-carat production and subsequent financial losses have made the operation unsustainable.  Trans Hex has issued a notice to the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and on 1 September started consultations with the union over the potential retrenchment of the mine’s 332 employees.  Operations at the mine will continue during the consultation process.

• A short report is at Mining Weekly

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