INTERVIEW
Cullinan Diamond Mine produces rare and exceptional “specials” The General Manager of the Cullinan Diamond Mine, Jaison Rajan, explains how infrastructure investment is extending the life of one of the world’s great mines. Why is Cullinan Diamond Mine often referred to as an “iconic” diamond mine? Cullinan Diamond Mine has earned its status as a result of it being probably the world’s most consistent supplier of exceptional stones. One of the first, and arguably the bestknown, was the Cullinan Diamond found at the mine in 1905. This stone, at 3 106ct, is still the largest diamond ever found, and jewels cut from it adorn the Royal Crown and Sceptre of the United Kingdom.
Jaison Rajan, General Manager
BIOGRAPHY Jaison Rajan is a mining engineer with post-graduate Master’s qualifications in both mineral economics and business administration. He has over 20 years industry experience, having worked in various mineral commodities including heavy minerals, manganese, coal and diamonds. He is an accredited Professional Engineer with a Mine Manager’s certificate of competency (South Africa). GAUTENG BUSINESS 2022
Are there are other stones from the mine that could lay similar claims? Indeed! Cullinan Diamond Mine is also the source of most of the gem-quality Type II blue diamonds recovered and put to market. These diamonds are extremely rare, which is vouched for by the high prices per carat achieved when they are presented to the market. A recently recovered 39.34ct Type IIb blue stone sold for more than $40-million, which was the highest price that Petra has achieved for a single stone. Apart from this stone, there have been quite a number of other “specials”, both blue and white stones of exceptional quality with regards to both colour and clarity, many of which had been recovered by Petra since it took ownership of the mine in 2008. This includes the Blue Moon of Josephine, the Cullinan Dream and the Letlapa Tala Collection. It was already an old mine when Petra took over; how much life is left in it, and what is Petra doing to ensure its future? The mine is still an exceptional resource with prospects of a long life into the future. From what we currently know, the resource still has a potential life upwards of 50 years, subject to market and economic conditions. Realising the value and potential, Petra embarked on an intensive capital investment programme soon after acquiring it, including the further development of underground resources (the so-called “C-Cut”) and replacement of the old processing plant with a new, cutting-edge treatment facility that will serve the mine well into the future.
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