Name and Location
Lerala diamond mine restart and plant recommissioning project, Botswana.

Client
Kimberley Diamonds Limited (KDL).

Project Description
The Lerala mine and processing plant were placed on care and maintenance in July 2012.

The mine has a current resource of about 10.3-million tonnes at an average grade of 31.5 ct per hundred tonnes, equating to an estimated 3.3-million carats.

The project involves modifications to the Lerala processing plant to enable the plant to operate more effectively and allow it to reliably treat 200 t/h.

Once in production, Lerala has a current forecast life-of-mine of seven years, treating 1.4-million tonnes of ore a year and producing an average of 357 000 ct/y.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Value
KDL has approved A$14.6-million for upfront capital items required to bring the plant and mine to a state of readiness.

Duration
KDL intends to start mining at Lerala in February 2016 and to ramp up the plant commissioning and processing of existing run-of-mine stockpiles in February 2016.

If the timing of the recommissioning remains on schedule, then KDL will see the first diamond sale held in March 2016.

Latest Developments
KDL has entered into a lump-sum turnkey contract with Consulmet for modifications to the plant at Lerala.

Consulmet will be paid about A$9.83-million to undertake the plant modifications, and is scheduled to complete the work by February 2016.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
Consulmet (plant modifications).

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
KDL, tel + 61 2 8243 7500.