With an operational turnaround under way at diamond miner Petra Diamond’s Finsch mine, in South Africa; the restart of its Williamson mine, in Tanzania, running ahead of schedule; and the company’s capital projects remaining on track to ensure incremental growth, CEO Richard Duffy has reiterated guidance for yearly group production to increase by up to one-million carats in the 2025 financial year.

An additional 300 000 ct increase in output is also expected for the 2026 financial year.

“Operations at both Cullinan and Finsch are now largely stabilised, enabling us to focus on reducing waste dilution and improving grades. These advancements have been supported by a much improved safety performance in the fourth quarter,” Duffy said in an operating update for its 2023 financial year, which ended on June 30.

He explained that the operational turnaround at Finch was a reflection of the introduction of new underground equipment, the recruitment of several senior technical personnel to fill vacancies and the resolution of ground handling issues that impacted production in the third quarter. At Cullinan mine, he said the improvement was a result of increased plant availability largely on the back of the completion of a mill relining.

During the fourth quarter, the number of lost time injuries decreased to two, while the lost-time injury frequency rate reduced to 0.12. These improvements were a result of Petra’s renewed focus on safety, aimed at addressing the regression that was observed in previous quarters.

"We're striving for a zero harm environment as we continue to ensure that we maintain our focus on remedial actions and behaviour-based intervention programmes across operations," Duffy said.

In terms of diamond production, there was a 5% decline in total diamond production, amounting to 620 018 ct compared with the previous quarter. This decrease was primarily owing to lower grades at both the South Africa-based Cullinan and Finsch mines.

However, Petra has taken remedial measures at both mines to rectify the situation.

As a result, Petra’s diamond production for the financial year reached 2.67-million carats, which was slightly below Petra’s earlier guidance range of 2.75-million to 2.85-million carats.

“Mitigating steps have been successfully implemented to address grade issues experienced at Cullinan and Finsch in the final quarter that resulted in 2023 production coming in marginally below guidance. Grades at both operations have now reverted to planned levels,” Duffy said on July 18.

In June, Petra concluded sales amounting to $7.8-million to fulfil regulatory requirements for selling to South African cutters and polishers. This brought the total rough diamond sales for the fourth quarter to $49.9-million, a decrease from $179.8-million in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Additionally, Petra’s sales for the year amounted to $328.4-million, down from $584.1-million last year. It is worth noting that like-for-like prices increased by about 2% year-on-year, and revenue from profit share agreements increased to $1.4-million compared with $1.1-million a year ago.

The reduction in revenues compared with the previous year was mainly owing to a lower contribution from exceptional diamonds, which totalled $12.6-million this year compared with $89.1-million last year, as well as a 34% reduction in rough diamonds sold.

This reduction was owing to a 20% decrease in diamonds recovered, along with the deferral of Tender 6 sales, as well as of 75 900 ct of predominantly higher-value stones from Tender 5 from this year to next year.

As a result of the deferred sales, Petra’s diamond inventory increased to 715 200 ct, valued at $65.9-million, at the end of the period. This compares with the inventory of 381 700 ct, valued at $40.2-million, as at June 30, 2022. These figures exclude the 71 600 ct from Williamson's blocked parcel.

After the end of the reporting period, Williamson received the final regulatory approvals and consents necessary to commission the newly constructed tailings storage facility (TSF).

As a result, the commissioning of the TSF and treatment plant began in July, and production resumed ahead of schedule.

At Koffiefontein, in South Africa, ongoing care-and-maintenance activities are being carried out as part of Petra’s preparations for a responsible closure.

Throughout the quarter, the company benefitted from the support of a weaker rand. The exchange rate closed at R18.83 to the dollar on June 30, compared with R16.27 a dollar a year prior.

The average exchange rate for the financial year under review was R17.77 to the dollar, compared with R15.22 to the dollar in the prior financial year.

Petra’s gross debt decreased to $247.3-million as of June 30, reflecting the repurchase of a portion of the 2 026 loan notes.

However, Petra’s consolidated net debt increased to $176.7-million compared with $40.6-million a year ago. This increase was primarily owing to the deferral of diamond sales to the 2024 financial year, coupled with planned higher capital expenditure (capex) associated with the mine plan extension projects.

Over the past few years, Petra has taken strategic actions to strengthen its business, improve cash flow generation and maintain capital discipline. These efforts have positioned the company well to capitalise on the favourable diamond market fundamentals expected in the medium to longer term.

Currently, Petra's capital projects are progressing as planned and are expected to result in a significant increase in production over the next three years.

At Cullinan, work is ongoing on the CC1-E and C-Cut extension projects, which are on track to deliver incremental production growth. Similarly, at Finsch, the Lower Block 5 3-level 90L sub-level cave extension project is progressing as scheduled.

Some of the unspent capex from the 2023 financial year has been deferred to 2024 to support these projects.

These initiatives align with Petra's growth strategy and are expected to enable the company to adhere to the approved mine plans until 2032 at Cullinan, 2031 at Finsch and 2030 at Williamson. Additionally, there are significant extension opportunities beyond these dates that Petra continues to explore.

Grades at both Cullinan and Finsch have largely stabilised, and an increase in grades is expected, particularly at Cullinan, once the mine plan extension projects begin production in 2025.

The Williamson mine's startup began ahead of schedule in July, and a steady ramp-up is expected to achieve the production guidance for 2024.

To address recent inflationary pressures, Petra is implementing robust cost control measures and benefiting from the weaker rand currency.

"The rough diamond market has softened from the highs last year associated with a post-Covid-19 surge in demand, which peaked during quarter one of the 2022 financial year. We believe softer demand reflects elevated inventory in the midstream in what is typically a period of lower seasonal demand and therefore we expect the current slowdown to be temporary as a result. This has been exacerbated by rising interest rates, which increases the cost of holding inventory," Duffy explained.

Detailed closure planning for the Koffiefontein mine is currently under way and provisions for future costs will be included in the 2023 financial year accounts. As a result, the cost guidance excludes expenses associated with Koffiefontein.

In the coming months, Petra plans to initiate discussions with organised labour regarding a new wage agreement at its South African operations, as the current agreement expires in June next year.

Additionally, Petra intends to host a capital markets day early next year to provide additional insights into the potential of its assets beyond the currently approved mine plans.

“Our strong balance sheet and flexible sales process enabled us to postpone the majority of our Tender 6 rough diamond sales into the 2024 financial year on the back of what we believe to be a temporary slowdown in demand for rough diamonds.

“We continue to expect a supportive diamond market in the medium to longer term as a result of the structural supply deficit, which will benefit our strong growth profile,” Duffy said.