ABRASWE MATERIALS 103 
 
 WORLD REVIEW surcharge of 5% over and above the 20% 
surcharge already in effect on taxes paid by 
De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd.'s sales all domestic diamond and gold mines.
The in 1985 through the Central Selling Organi- new surcharge was added in
view of mining zation were estimated to be $1.8 billion profits obtained
owing to the favorable compared with $1.61 billion in 1984. Sales rand-dollar
exchange rate in 1984. The during the second half of 1985 were unu- Chamber
of Mines, a mining trade associasually strong. tion, responded by saying
that any additionAustralia.—Argyle Diamond Mines Joint al profits
had
been absorbed by increased 
Venture produced a total of about 17 niil- capital expenditure. 
lion carats from its alluvial operation before De Beers reported about 95%
of 1985 the operation was closed in October. The South African diamond production,
or second phase, production from the AK-i about 9.7 million carats. Its Finsch
Mine, kimberlite pipe, commenced on schedule in the largest diamond mine
in the Republic of December. The firm estimated that the AK- South Africa,
produced 4.9 million çarats, 1 deposit would produce about 25
million
and its Premier Mine produced 2.7 million carats per year for about 20 years.1
carats. Other sources indicate that in 1984, 
 Botswana.—The new Jwaneng Mine ex- 73% of South African production
was from panded its diamond production Although Cape Province 26% from Transvaal
and mining was centered in the middle lobe, the balance from the Orange Free
State. 
stripping proceeded on the northeastern The Finsch Mine worked slightly lower
lobe The ore grade increased by 23% at the grade ore m accordance with manageJwaneng
Mine, by 30% at the Letlhakane ment's plan. The Premier Mine experienced
Mine, and by 8% at the Orapa Mine. no further collapse of the gabbro sill.
In- 
 Brazil —Mmeracao Tejucana S A a vestigations mdicated that retreatment
of member of the Union Miniere Group the mine s stored tailings appeared
to be planned an expansion of its current annual feasible and the processing
was scheduled output of mdustrial diamonds from 52100 to begm during the
year 
carats to 62500 carats Coupled with an Swaziland —Trans Hex Ltd
was
mvolv increase to 540 carats per year of industrial ed with its joint venture
partner, the Swazidiamonds at the Morro Vermelho plant, land Government,
in a $5 million expansion Brazilian output of industrial diamonds was of
minmg activity at its kimberlite pipe anticipated to increase by 10,900 carats.2
' The open pit extraction of industrial and 
 Burma.—The Ministry of Mines carried low-quality gem diamonds,
plus
smaller out exploration for diamonds by test pitting amounts of good-quality
gems, was expected and drilling. It discovered 68 diamonds with to last at
least 8 years. The expansion in a total weight of 65.31 carats in the period
capacity was expected to go on-stream in April 1, 1984, to December 31, 1984,
mostly October 1985. 
industrial diamonds. Zaire.—Société Minière
de
Bakwanga 
 Japan.—DEBID (BVI) Ltd. of the British (MIBA) produced 6,896,000
carats
in 1984, Virgin Islands was reported to have taken a and exported 6,902,000
carats worth $57.~ 95% share of the new Japanese company, mfflion. MIBA invested
$9.7 million in a Debius Industrial Diamond Japan Co.3 The new hydroelectric
power station plus addinew company was to deal exclusively with tional funds
for geological exploration and the inspection and sale of imported natural
research, modernization of workers' housand synthetic industrial diamonds
in Japan. ing, and improving the security of the 
 South Africa, Republic of.—The Minister operations. 
of Finance announced a special temporary