Production resumes at Firestone's Liqhobong mine 

Production at Aim-listed Firestone Diamonds' Liqhobong mine, in Lesotho, has resumed, after the company successfully installed rented diesel generators to power the mine's processing plant.

The diamond miner last month reported that the mine was struggling amid insufficient power supply from the Lesotho grid, as a result of a two-month maintenance shutdown of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP), which supplies water to South Africa and generates electricity for Lesotho.

Liqhobong receives its power supply from the Muela hydropower station, located at the Katse dam, which is part of the LHWP.

"The generators are expected to be used to generate power until grid power is restored from the Muela hydropower station, which, according to the Lesotho Electricity Company, is scheduled to take place on December 1.

"Normal operating costs are expected to increase by the cost of renting the generators and of the associated diesel consumption," Firestone said on Friday.