Kimberley Diamonds Ltd said it has engaged Consulmet (Pty) Limited to undertake the detailing and design work required for the modifications of the plant at the Lerala Diamond Mine in Botswana.

The company said the engagement of Consulmet is the first step in re-commissioning the plant and recommencing mining at Lerala.

“KDL is targeting re-commencement of mining at Lerala in Q4 FY2015 following the approval of the environmental impact assessment and once work to re-commission the plant has completed.”

Prior to re-commencing of mining, KDL is looking to modify the plant at Lerala to enable it to reliably treat 200 tonnes per hour and has engaged Consulmet to undertake detailing and design work for these modifications.

Once in production, Lerala has a forecasted mine life of 7 years treating 1.4 million tonnes of ore per annum and producing an average of 357,000 carats per year. Consulmet specialises in the design, supply and construction of mineral processing plants, and has significant experience in designing plants for diamond producers, having operated in Africa since 1993.

Recent diamond projects undertaken by Consulmet include the design, supply and/or installation of diamond plants for Ghaghoo Mine – Gem Diamonds Botswana, Alexcore (South

Africa), Koidu- Sierra Leone, Rio Tinto – Murowa Diamonds (Zimbabwe), Namakwa Diamonds (South Africa), Diacor CC (South Africa), and BHP Billiton (Angola). Consulmet has also previously provided assistance to KDL in respect of its plant at its Ellendale Mine.

Consulmet commenced work on the detailing and design work in September 2014, and expects to complete this work by mid November 2014. KDL is also in ongoing negotiations with Consulmet to undertake the supply and installation work required on a Lump Sum Turn Key basis which will be undertaken when the design phase is completed. KDL looks forward to working closely with Consulmet towards re-commissioning of the plant at Lerala.