Firestone: Liqhobong Diamond Mine In Final Commissioning Stages
October 06, 16
(IDEX Online) – Firestone Diamonds plc said that all major construction activities are now complete at its Liqhobong diamond mine in Lesotho.
Mining activities have started and commissioning of the processing plant is now in the final stages. Liqhobong is owned 75% by Firestone and 25% by the government of Lesotho.
The firm said that the first diamonds from the commissioning phase are expected to be recovered this month and that the ramp up to commercial production is on track to begin this quarter.
As of October 5, all major construction activities were complete and over three million man hours have been exceeded without a single lost time injury, the miner said in a statement. Commissioning is now well advanced with the historic stockpiles being processed initially as part of the wet plant commissioning phase.
Over the coming weeks, the company expects to complete the commissioning of the recovery plant and sort house in anticipation of first diamond recoveries later this month. In addition, Firestone has begun mining of the main pit kimberlite and maiden ore is being stockpiled for processing once the historic stockpiles have been processed.
Stuart Brown, Chief Executive Officer, commented: "Firestone remains fully financed throughout its ramp-up period and we look forward to commencing diamond sales, from January 2017, and providing further updates in due course."