Lesotho to Open Four New Diamond Mines

Lesotho’s Minister of Mining, Lebohang Thotanyana says at least four diamond mines will be opened this year with the projected annual diamond production set to quadruple, APA learns here Monday.

Minister Thotanyana said the four mines will be Liqhobong, Mothae, Kolo and Lemphane mines.

He said Liqhobong Mine, a subsidiary of the United Kingdom -based Firestone Diamonds, is establishing a site and infrastructure and is scheduled to begin production by the fourth quarter of this year.

The minister explained that Mothae which trades as Lucara Diamond has just been acquired by Paragon Diamonds and is scheduled to be in production by the end of the year.

He said Kolo Mine has been recently bought by Batla Minerals and is now in development stage, doing design and construction and is also expected to start production by this year.

Source: Star Africa