JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Aim-listed Firestone Diamonds’ Liqhobong diamond mine, in Lesotho, is now expected to produce between 800 000 ct and 850 000 ct in the 2018 financial year.
This is lower than the one-million carats previously targeted and is expected to impact revenues in the financial year to June 30, 2018.
Firestone on Tuesday said it was currently undertaking a review of the current life-of-mine plan to optimise mining operations at its 75%-owned diamond operation.
The overall life-of-mine carats is not anticipated to change.
“As part of this review, Firestone will be extending the mining of the weathered kimberlite over the coming months in order to access the lower areas of the pit that have historically yielded higher-grade and higher-value diamonds,” Firestone said in an update to shareholders.
To improve the long-term mining operations, Firestone also plans to mine additional waste rock in the next 12 months.
Further details of the optimised mine plan will be announced in the fourth quarter of 2017.