(Alliance News) - Firestone Diamonds PLC on Tuesday said its Liqhobong mine in Lesotho remains without sufficient power to operate and, as a result, the company has decided to hire power generators to run the mine processing plant.
The company said it has decided to hire diesel generator units which will arrive at the mine by October-end and will be fully operational by early November. The power disruption was initially reported by Firestone Diamonds earlier in October.
"The generators are expected to be used to generate power until grid power is restored from the Muela Hydropower Station, which we are informed will take place on December 1," Firestone Diamonds said.
The diamond miner continues to engage with Lesotho Electricity Company and Eskom, South Africa's state-owned power utility, to resolve the power interruption. Lesotho Electricity owns Muela Hydropower Station.
The company expects its normal operating costs to rise due to renting of the power generators.
Firestone Diamonds shares were down 4.4% at 0.55 pence each in London on Tuesday afternoon.
By Tapan Panchal; tapanpanchal@alliancenews.com
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