Firestone Diamonds Sees Improving Quality and Value of Diamonds in Q3

(IDEX Online News) – Firestone Diamonds plc announced that good progress has been made in improving the quality and value of diamonds recovered at its Liqhobong mine in Lesotho since the plant experienced a shutdown in July.

Three yellow diamonds weighing 27, 17 and 15 carats and three white stones weighing 12.4, 9.2 and 9.1 carats were mined during the last quarter. The AIM-listed mining and exploration company said further improvements are expected in the short term as higher-grade rock is exposed and processed.

"We are happy with the progress that we have made at the pilot plant in September which has continued into October, after overcoming technical and weather challenges in July and August,” said CEO Tim Wilkes.

The pilot plant at Liqhobong was shut down for 14 shifts in July to be fitted with equipment necessary to reduce diamond breakage of the larger stones. Firestone had previously recovered fragments of what appeared to be five stones of over 100 carats each.

“The change in the amount of whiter stones recovered is also encouraging, which should continue on an upward trend as the mine plan calls for more of the higher grade, larger stone bearing areas of the pit to be mined during the remainder of the year," added Wilkes.