BlueRock Diamond Production Hit by Wet Weather
June 06, 22
(IDEX Online) - BlueRock Diamonds says production has been badly hit by wet weather.
Rainfall at its Kareevlei mine, in Kimberley, South Africa, was 22 inches from January to May - double the average for an entire year.
The rain hampered access to high-quality kimberlite, forcing the mine to use lower grade ore and delaying roll-out of its mining development plan.
Processing production was down by 36 per cent - or 400,000 tonnes - on forecasts for April and May, the worst-hit months.
The company said it was talking to a major shareholder and providers of debt finance to support it through the period.
"While it is of course disappointing to report the problems caused by the continuing wet weather at a time when we expected to be operating at near capacity, the safety of our personnel and equipment is our foremost obligation," said executive chairman Mike Houston.
"As we finally move into drier weather, I am pleased to report operations are improving rapidly, which will enable us to take advantage of the buoyant market."
Pic shows processing plant at Kareevlei, in drier times.