Modern Mining May 2017

MINING News

Final ramp-up at Liqhobong on track The Liqhobong processing plant seen from the south (photo: Firestone).

In addition, the diamonds are being recovered with less than 1 % measured diamond damage, which Firestone views as extremely positive. The waste stripping is on schedule and Firestone is in the process of dewatering the south-eastern side of the main pit to begin accessing better quality ore later in the current quarter. The project maintained its outstanding health and safety record, having reached 4 million man hours worked without a single Lost Time Injury (LTI) at the end of March. During the period, Firestone held two diamond sales (in February and March) in Antwerp. All 127 590 carats on offer were sold and achieved an average price of US$107 per carat for total proceeds of US$13,7 million. “It is pleasing to see that the improve- ments andmodifications made to the plant during commissioning have improved performance,” comments Stuart Brown, Firestone’s CEO. “During the quarter, we have seen a steady improvement in the grade with our daily recovery exceeding 20 cpht at the end of March following the implemented modifications. 103 000 car- ats were recovered in the quarter including 31 special stones larger than 10,8 carats and, post the period, we were delighted to recover our first plus 100-carat stone. “The final commissioning phase has seen the mine achieve nameplate capacity on numerous occasions which is very posi- tive, particularly during the rainy season.” 

In its report on the quarter ended 31 March 2017, Firestone Diamonds plc, the AIM- quoted diamond company, reports that commissioning activities at its new Liqhobong mine in Lesotho are largely complete and that the final ramp up is progressing on track During the reporting period, 639 000 tonnes were treatedwith nameplate capac- ity continuing to be achieved on numerous occasions. Some 103 000 carats were recov- ered at a grade of 16,1 carats per hundred tonnes (cpht), compared to 58 000 carats at

a grade of 14,1 cpht in the previous quarter. Over the three months, Firestone continued to calibrate the processing plant with scheduled shut downs as part of the normal commissioning activi- ties. The modifications implemented were primarily designed to address the low carat recoveries experienced in the previous quarter. While these modifica- tions impacted on the volume of tonnes treated, and in turn carats recovered, they have proven to be effective with the grade rising to 20,1 cpht at the end of March.

Paradigm to undertake FEED study for Tongo-Tonguma Further to its announcement on 28 April 2017 that it had entered into a Tribute Mining Agreement with Octea Mining in relation to theTongo-Tonguma kimberlitedykediamond project in Sierra Leone, Stellar Diamonds reports it has now entered into a contract for the Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) study to be conducted for the underground mine development of the project. South Africa’s Paradigm Project Management (PPM) has been appointed to prepare the study. The project is reported to be one of the highest dollar per tonne value kimberlites in Africa and has the potential to be the sec- ond largest diamond mine in West Africa. “The FEED is a very important first step in the mine development process,” comments Karl Smithson, Chief Executive of AIM-listed Stellar. “PPM are highly experienced in the delivery of diamond mine projects and, together with SRK Consulting, they will refine all elements of the mine plan as determined in the PEA to higher levels of confidence in order to reduce the project delivery risk. “With over 66 000mof drilling completed at the project to date, we will undertake mine plan related drilling to a depth of 75 m concurrent with the FEED study. “Once work commences on the FEED, it is expected to take approximately four months to deliver (including drilling) and will mark the onset of the mine devel- opment programme. I look forward to updating shareholders on our progress as we work to transform Stellar into a long term, high value diamond producer.” 

16  MODERN MINING  May 2017