(Ecofin Agency) - Miner DiamondCorp suspended underground mining operations at its Lace diamond mine in South Africa, after an assistant miner fell in a development tunnel, as explosives were being loaded. Suffering from several contusions and with four ribs broken, the assistant was taken to the hospital.

After investigating, the Ministry of Mineral Resources (DMR) ordered all miners’ assistants to take a refresher course in explosives handling and loading. The course should end on Wednesday.   “Once the assistants are recertified, the company will apply to the DMR to resume underground mining operations which is expected by the end of this week. In the meantime, the plant at Lace will process tailings,” said DiamondCorp.

The firm highlighted that though the halt should not have a significant financial impact, it (the firm) should not be able to achieve its goal to process 30,000t of ore in July. However, it says it will achieve results projected for August and hopes even to compensate July’s deficit, by the end of September.

DiamondCorp Plc holds 74% of the Lace mine while its joint-venture partners, Shanduka Resources and Sphere Holdings, each hold 13%.

Louis-Nino Kansoun