Kimberley Diamonds Ltd. (KDL) commenced open pit mining operations at its Lerala Diamond Mine in Botswana. Assuming that recommissioning of the process plant proceeds as planned in April 2016, the first production and recovery of diamonds is expected in April 2016, and the first diamond sales are expected in June 2016.

KDL announced in February that the mining contract for the Lerala Diamond Mine was awarded to Basil Read Mining Botswana (Pty) Limited following a competitive tender processy selected. Mining commenced early in April from the K3 kimberlite pipe and operations will continue to develop a buffer stockpile of fresh kimberlite ore, the company noted. Mining will then ramp up in line with the current production schedule to provide a consistent feed to the processing plant once processing commences.

Lerala Process Plant Update Plant construction activities continue to progress well despite recent delays experienced due to higher than usual rainfall being experienced at site. It is expected that plant construction will be completed by mid-April, with re-commissioning then expected to commence later in April.

The primary scrubber, secondary crusher, 400 tonne DMS storage bin and the new recovery module are structurally complete, with electrical and instrumentation work advancing and so is construction of the tailings dam extension to accept tailings in April 2016. Construction of the new dry tailings conveyor system has also commenced.