(Ecofin Agency) - Diamond miner Kimberley Diamonds started production at its Lerala mine in Botswana after completing open-pit mining which it announced last month. First sale is to take place in June 2016.

While informing its shareholders, the firm indicated that full-production would commence in the coming weeks. Also, it highlighted that the treatment plant was designed for an optimized flow and an efficient recovery.

Production started, the lifeline of Lerala mine has been estimated at 7 years. Annual processing rate should be close to 1.4 million tons of ore and annual average production at 357,000 ct.

The Lerala mine, is located in the North-East of Botswana and includes fives diamondiferous kimberlites pipes, and covers 6.66 ha. Kimberley Diamonds owns 100% of the mine.

Louis-Nino Kansoun