Liqhobong on Track For Mid-2016 Production Start, Says Firestone
December 02, 14
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The work includes the construction of the new 500 tonne per hour main treatment plant and supporting infrastructure to treat 3.6 million tonnes of ore and recover plus 1.1 million carats per year.
The company said it has now secured all major contracts and placed orders for all long lead items, with around $36 million spent on the project to date.
The project has created over 400 jobs and Liqhobong has maintained its target of zero lost time injuries.
"To date the project is progressing well and is on time and on budget, with the pilot plant having now been removed and the earthworks progressing on schedule," the miner said in a statement. "Fortunately the winter season was mild, with no snow, which allowed the project team to progress certain work streams ahead of schedule, in advance of the rainy season, which commenced in late October."
"The project team is now in place and Firestone has already created over 400 jobs at Liqhobong, which will continue to rise over the course of the project. The rainy season has now commenced and the increased project execution risk, due to the potential of heavy rainfall, is being well managed. Liqhobong has maintained its target of zero lost time injuries.
"The support from the government of Lesotho has been positive with keen interest in the project's progress being expressed. The ongoing difficulties that the coalition government has been experiencing have not disrupted the project in any way. Firestone remains supportive of the government and hopes that they continue along the agreed Southern African Development Community (SADC) brokered solution. Elections are expected to be held in early 2015, and Firestone looks forward to a continued positive relationship with the government."
Firestone owns 75 percent of the project, with the Lesotho government owning the rest.