Z* (Sean and Andy) co-authored a paper with De Beers for the SAMREC Companion Volume Conference that was held in Johannesburg on the 17th and 18th of May. The conference was well supported by the mining fraternity with representation from gold, diamonds, gemstones, coal, platinum, base metals and industrial minerals. Although the JSE was represented, attendance by the financial and investment communities was poor.

Sean attended the conference to give a presentation on the De Beer approach to classification and to show how the process is facilitated by the new MRCS. Focussing on a scorecard approach the system has been developed specifically to cater for the complexities of diamond deposits and to ensure robust governance is in place. Comparative analyses functionality is included to ensure appropriate standards are in place and an assessment of performance can forms part of the classification process where applicable. The conference was used to officially launch the new 2016 SAMCODES that now includes SAMREC, SAMVAL and SAMOG.