African diamond producer BlueRock is maintaining FY2021 production guidance of 34,000-46,000ct from its Kareevlei mine in South Africa’s Kimberley region despite a warning that exceptional weather may defer full commissioning of its expansion project into early in the June qtr.
Exec chairman Mike Houston says it will run both the new and existing plants to minimise disruption during the transition period.
For FY2020, BlueRock lifted FY2020 production to 15,371ct from 14,033ct a year earlier despite a 50-day COVID shutdown and early start to the rainy season in Dec.
Sales grew to 16,290ct (FY2019: 12,675ct), with higher production and an extra late-year sale offsetting lower markets due to COVID and fewer higher-value diamonds during its Main pit development.
BlueRock aims to release a Kareevlei resource statement by end-Jan.