(IDEX Online) - The power is still out at Firestone Diamonds plc's Liqhobong mine in Lesotho. The company said that despite attempts to resolve the problem of power fluctuations, there is not enough power to operate the mine's processing plant.
The disruption is part of two-month maintenance shutdown by the Muela Hydropower Station (MHS), which supplies the mine's power. Since the shutdown began on October 1, the mine experienced unexpected voltage fluctuations that caused the drives of the plant equipment to trip and as a result, operations have been severely disrupted.
To try to minimize losses, the company is bringing in diesel generator units that will be used to operate the processing plant. The generators are expected to be in place by the end of October and will become fully operational in early November.
This measure will remain in place until grid power is restored, which will only take place on December 1.
The company said it expects an increase in normal operating costs due to the cost of renting the generators and the associated diesel consumption.