Namakwa Diamonds said a production of 3,921 carats from its Kao operation, in Lesotho will be sold through an independent tender in Johannesburg this month.
It said in a Q1 FY2012 interim statement that this production consists of predominately small diamonds with an average size of 0.21cts, sourced primarily from other weathered kimberlites.
“The diamond size profile is expected to increase on future tenders as more K6 hardrock ore is processed,” the miner said.
Namakwa said it planned holding 10 tenders per year to establish a consistent pricing profile for Kao diamonds.
The plant was currently operating at 200-250tph as part of the ramp-up plan to achieve nameplate capacity and Phase 1 commercial production in the first quarter of the 2012 calendar year.
Production guidance for FY2012 at the mine remained unchanged at 200 000 cts, it said.
Meanwhile, Namakwa said its North West Province alluvial mines, in South Africa had been restructured.
It said 6,478 carats were produced during the period, in-line with budget for the rationalised project area, and 5,408 carats were sold at an average price of $627/ct.
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished
