fbpx

Firestone Diamonds Mine Construction Chugs Along In Lesotho

Firestone Diamonds Mine Construction Chugs Along In Lesotho

From Mining Weekly

Africa-focused Firestone Diamonds narrowed its 2015 interim loss to $4.4-million, as its Liqhobong project, in Lesotho, moved into the construction phase in the six months ended December 31.

The Aim-listed company on Thursday said construction on the $185.4-million project, which had started in late June 2014, was progressing well, was on schedule and within budget. The project was expected to be completed by mid-2016.

A relatively mild winter had enabled the project to start well and the project team to get ahead on a number of work streams before the start of the rainy season in November.

“[However,] the above-average rainfall experienced in November and December and delays experienced in the issuing of work permits to the civils and earthworks contractor had an initial negative impact, necessitating a rescheduling of certain works and increased work load,” the company pointed out.

The project team also encountered areas where excess top soil needed to be removed which, in combination with the wet weather, caused days to be lost through personnel not being able to work safely.

These issues were not unexpected and were within normal anticipated deviations owing to the nature of the environment. Additional crews were deployed to ensure the project remained on schedule and within budget.

Read more at Mining Weekly