The owners of the Diavik diamond mine, in Canada's Northwest Territories, are studying possible changes to underground mining methods which have the potential to lower costs and could result in a future extension of the mineral resource estimate, according to Harry Winston CEO Robert Gannicott. Harry Winston owns 40% of the mine and diversified miner Rio Tinto holds the balance. Rio Tinto is the operator of the asset. Harry Winston, which markets its own share of rough production from Diavik, also sells high-end jewellery and watches in a separate business unit.

Richards Bay Minerals (RBM), a joint venture between BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto, has increased its wage offer for workers, as negotiations with the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) continue. NUM members downed tools at the mine last week, in protest over wage increases.

South African gold miners produced 2% less gold in the second quarter of this year than it had in the second quarter of 2009, the Chamber of Mines (CoM) reported on Thursday. Total gold production in the quarter ended June 30, 2010, amounted to 49 444,5 kg.