8 Aug 2017 07:00
8 August 2017
Firestone Diamonds plc
("Firestone" or the "Company") (AIM: FDI)
Production Guidance for FY 2018
Firestone Diamonds plc, the AIM-quoted diamond company, announces that it has recently commenced a review of its current life of mine plan in order to optimise mining operations at its 75% owned Liqhobong Diamond Mine in Lesotho ("Liqhobong"). As a result the Company is revising its production guidance for the year to 30 June 2018 ("FY 2018").
As part of this review, Firestone will be extending the mining of the weathered kimberlite over the coming months, in order to access the lower areas of the pit that have historically yielded higher grade and higher value diamonds. The Company also plans to mine additional waste rock in the coming year, in order to improve the long term mining operations. As a result, although the overall life of mine carats is not anticipated to change, the Company now expects to produce between 800,000 and 850,000 carats in FY 2018 (previously 1.0 million carats), which is expected to impact revenues in the current financial year.
Further details of the optimised mine plan will be announced in CY Q4 2017.
The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 ("MAR").
For more information contact:
Firestone Diamonds plc | +44 (0)20 8741 7810 |
Stuart Brown | |
Strand Hanson Limited (Nomad) | +44 (0)20 7409 3494 |
Stuart Faulkner | |
Richard Tulloch | |
James Dance | |
Macquarie Capital (Europe) Limited (Joint Broker) | +44 (0)20 3037 2000 |
Raj Khatri | |
Nick Stamp | |
Mirabaud Securities LLP (Joint Broker) | |
Rory Scott | +44 (0)20 7878 3360 |
Ed Haig-Thomas | +44 (0)20 7878 3447 |
Tavistock (Public and Investor Relations) | +44 (0)20 7920 3150 |
Emily Fenton | +44 (0)7788 554 035 |
Jos Simson | |
Barney Hayward |
Background information on Firestone
Firestone is an international diamond mining company with operations focused in Lesotho. Firestone commenced commercial production in July 2017 at the Liqhobong Diamond Mine in Lesotho.
Lesotho is emerging as one of Africa's significant new diamond producers, hosting Gem Diamonds' Letseng Mine, Firestone's Liqhobong Mine and Namakwa Diamonds' Kao Mine.
For more information please visit: www.firestonediamonds.com.
**ENDS**