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De Beers Consolidated Mines (DBCM) says it is exploring the extension of its Kimberley Mines Tailings Operation beyond 2018 by putting it up for sale. According to a press release, the miner is looking to close a deal in a matter of months.
“It is encouraging that our work to date, in considering all options, has shown Kimberley Mines may not have to close in the near future,” said Phillip Barton, DBCM’s chief executive officer (CEO).
“We are liaising with directly affected stakeholders outlining feasible options to extend the potential of the mine and its assets. We are engaging fully with employees, union representatives, and with government at national and other levels, most importantly with the Northern Cape government and the municipality.
“The asset has a superb team of managers and operators, and we are keen to offer the mine as a going concern to facilitate a greater degree of job security. The mine is De Beers’ second largest producer in South Africa, with production in 2014 of 722,000 carats. With an appropriate operator, this asset has potential into the next decade.”
DBCM says given its timeline for closing the deal that “transfer of the asset to the new owner meets all regulatory requirements, and is handled with appropriate care to avoid unnecessary delay and the consequent depletion of the diamond resource for the new operator.”
