African Diamonds obtains mining licence in Sierra Leone

Exploration company African Diamonds has been awarded a mining licence in the Kono district of Sierra Leone.

The licence covers the former National Diamond Mining Corporation tailings from the Plant 11 alluvial mining operation.

All approvals have been granted by the Ministry of Mineral Resources and the Kamara chiefdom. The licence will be issued in the coming weeks.

Plant 11 was operated by NDMC for 23 years and operated at a round-the-clock production rate of 150 ton per hour.

The directors have estimated the resource runs to approximately seven million tons. Between 1962 and 1992, Plant 11 was one of the richest and largest alluvial diamond plants in the world.

Against the background of strong competition and resurgent interest in mineral rich but under-explored Sierra Leone, the directors believe the successful acquisition of Plant 11 is an exciting and valuable addition to the company’s portfolio.

Irishman John Teeling, chairman of African Diamonds, was positive on the potential of locating diamonds in the area: "We know that there are diamonds in the tailings. Almost all of them will be small but many will be top quality.

"We are immediately commencing a drilling programme to define grades and tonnages."