18 Oct 2017

Letlhakane Mine Tailings Resource Treatment Plant (LMTRTP) is a very low cost operation and a viable project.

The general manager of Orapa Letlhakane and Damtshaa Mines Mr Bakani Motlhabani said on Monday when briefing members of the media in Orapa.

Mr Motlhabani stated that plant processing costs were very low since they already had material in place, noting that all that was required was water and electricity to run the plant.

Tailings resource is the dump that has been stockpiled for years after mining, and would be processed through LMTRTP to produce diamonds. He also said it was essential to continue operating both the three mines since different diamond pipes had different diamond quality.

Orapa mine, he said had high volume production and low quality stones whilst Letlhakane mine had low volume production with high quality stones. Mr Motlhabani said customers also preferred variety of stones therefore it was essential to keep operating Orapa, Letlhakane, and Damtshaa mine whose  opening plan was underway.

Damtshaa mine has been under care and maintenance and plans were underway to re-open it. The project manager LMTRTP, Mr Omphile Ntabeni said its objectives were to deliver sustained and profitable operations at Letlhakane Mine post pit mining by recovery of Letlhakane mine tailings resource.

Mr Ntabeni said the project’s aim was to build specifically designed mining and treatment solution that could ensure optimal economic recovery of diamonds.

The plan he said was to extend mine life by over 20 years from 2017 to 2042, treating 3.6 million tons per year and producing 800 000 carats per annum.

The project value stood at 2.1 billion and its intention is to produce revenue for shareholders over life of mine.

The project commenced construction in 2015 and would be commissioned during quarter four of 2017. The project scope covered construction of a modular tailings treatment plant at Letlhakane mine, construction of 66 KV, 45 kilometres overhead power line and its associated infrastructure from Orapa to Letlhakane mine.

It would also cover upgrading of facilities at contractors' camp in Orapa with 128 extra rooms, dining area, laundry facility, gym and lapa. LMTRTP is expected to boost economic sustainability and revenue to Botswana economy would be extended by further 20 years among others.

It would also boost local economy in Boteti.ENDS