Modern Mining January 2015

DIAMONDS

course for 2016 start-up

in 2011 restarted the plant. Between July of that year and October 2013 it produced in excess of 325 000 carats, mainly from the main pipe. “When Firestone acquired Liqhobong, it was always with the intention of developing a large scale mining operation based on the main pipe,” says Brown. “The mining that took place from 2011 onwards was a trial mining exercise designed to provide some cash flow while, at the same time, allowing the company to get data on the quality, grade and size of stones in the orebody. Firestone did modify the plant to increase efficiency and capacity somewhat but with only limited success. It was, however, able to complete a Definitive Feasibility Study – later updated – during this period which indi- cated that the main pipe could form the basis of a very viable large-scale mine.” Brown’s involvement with Liqhobong dates back to September 2013, when he was appointed an Executive Director of Firestone. Subsequently (as from 1 December 2013) he was appointed CEO in succession to Tim Wilkes, who remains associated with the com- pany. Brown was brought on board specifically to advance the Main Treatment Plant project to production. It was an inspired choice by Firestone’s board, as Brown had previously enjoyed a stellar 20-year career in the diamond field with De Beers – which saw him ultimately becoming Group CFO and Joint Acting CEO. His appointment was a declaration of intent by

Diamond Developments) erected a pilot plant at the site to treat material from the small satel- lite pipe. This operation ran through to 2008 after which the plant was put on care and main- tenance. In 2010 Firestone – which was then focused on Botswana – bought out Kopane and

Left: A view of the Liqhobong project site (November 2014). Below: Earthworks underway on the the Residue Storage Facility.

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