Phone: +266 2222 1800. P.O. The diamond deposit was first discovered in the late 1950s, and over the past 60 years it has been through a series of feasibility … The low grade, marginal diamond deposits of Lesotho had claimed another victim. Letšeng Diamonds has two shareholders; Gem Diamonds Limited owns 70% and the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho owning the remaining 30%. Diamonds at Letseng were discovered in 1957, but the mine was intermittently abandoned over the decades because of its remote location, political strife, and the difficulty of mining it profitably. This is according to the statement issued by the Ministry of Mining in collaboration with Lucapa Diamond Company Limited. Liqhobong is owned 75% by Firestone and 25% by the Government of Lesotho. Operated by De Beers from … The Letšeng diamond mine in Lesotho has announced the discovery of one of the biggest diamonds in the world this year. NUMSA has committed to strengthening relationships with IDUL to realize that vision while IndustriALL, through its union building project, will continue to train and to build capacity to this new emerging union in Lesotho. Lucapa Diamond Company and its partner, the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho have announced the recovery of an exceptional 101 carat white diamond from the Mothae kimberlite diamond mine in Lesotho. DIAMOND MINING IN LESOTHO. Gem operates Letšeng, which is known for producing large, high-quality diamonds, in a 70-30 partnership with the government of the Kingdom of Lesotho. MASERU - Lesotho diamond mines have come under spotlight that they are part of mines which do not execute standards of good governance corporate conduct. Gem Diamonds (LON:GEMD) said on Friday that the government of Lesotho has allowed it to resume operations at its Letšeng mine, even though … (+266) 525 55555 IndustriALL Global Union’s affiliates represent over 50 million workers in 140 countries in the mining, energy and manufacturing sectors. One of the largest gem-quality diamonds ever mined has sold for $40 million. Although some of the diamonds produced in the mountain kingdom are rated at the highest price per carat production in the world, the lives of mineworkers and communities adjacent to the mines reflect a different reality of poverty. In Lesotho's mining history, skilled artisans (known as Basotho diggers) have been extracting diamonds to a large extent under licenses issued in 1961 for the Letseng diamond mine, as well as Kolo, Nqechan… 2006 - 2009 Kao Diamond Mines (Pty) Limited (“KDM”) Despite this, and perhaps emboldened by the success at Letšeng from the beginning of the 21st century, Kao Diamond Mines (Pty) Limited (“KDM”), a subsidiary of Global Resources Inc. acquired the mining lease for Kao from the Government of Lesotho … High in the Maluti mountains of Lesotho, in the Leribe region, at an elevation of 3,100 metres above sea level, operators such as the United Kingdom’s Gem Diamonds Letšeng mine produce high colour and quality diamonds. KDM never got through these difficulties and was finally liquidated. Major challenges confront the global diamond industry supply chain, including in Lesotho, and building strong unions lies at the heart of sustainable solutions to those challenges. Paragon plans an open pit for the first 15 years followed by 10 years of underground mining. The Kao kimberlite was discovered by Colonel Scott and his exploration team in the mid to late 1950's. Organizing in the diamond mining sector in Lesotho is a new initiative by IDUL since its formation from a merger process in 2015. Mining licenses for diamonds from Kao and Liqhobong pipes were operated for a short period from 1959 till Lesotho’s independence. Batla buys out Emu's 50% share. Despite this, and perhaps emboldened by the success at Letšeng from the beginning of the 21st century, Kao Diamond Mines (Pty) Limited (“KDM”), a subsidiary of Global Resources Inc. acquired the mining lease for Kao from the Government of Lesotho in 2006. Besides the Liqhobong mine, IDUL has identified the Mothae mine, owned by Canadian Lucara Diamond, the Kao mine, owned by Namakwa Ltd of Bermuda, the Letšeng mine and the Lemphane mine, owned by British Paragon Diamonds, for organizing and recruitment drives. Gem announced the reopening of the mine on April 24. Most of Lesotho’s high-value diamond mines are located in a cluster high up in the Maluti Mountains. 2013-29 (First Case) Over the 3 year period, the total production exported by KDM was merely around 7000 carats, which is only approximately one third of a month’s current production volume at Kao. These mines include Letseng, located within 5km of Mothae, which is the world’s highest $ per carat kimberlite diamond mine. August 2015. Since this discovery, the Kao kimberlite was mined by artisans and organized cooperatives. This was unpacked in a report launched last week Thursday in countries that are members of the Kimberley Process Civil Society Coalition a body which Lesotho is a part of. Categories Governmental; Subcategories National Authority . It is owned by Lucapa Diamond Company (70%) in partnership with the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho (30%). SMD’s success is one of the unique memoirs in the history of diamond mining in Lesotho. Claim This Listing. The Independent Democratic Union of Lesotho (IDUL) is an active participant in IndustriALL Global Union’s diamond global network, which integrates the whole supply chain of the diamond industry, namely mining, gems, ornament and jewellery production.  Terms of Use Mothae Diamonds (Pty) Limited is the operator of the Project. Swissbourgh Diamond Mines (Pty) Limited, Josias Van Zyl, The Josias Van Zyl Family Trust and others v. The Kingdom of Lesotho, PCA Case No. Mothae is located in Lesotho’s diamond-rich Maluti Mountains within 5km of Letseng, the world’s highest US$ per carat kimberlite diamond mine. GEM DIAMONDS IS A LEADING PRODUCER OF HIGH-VALUE DIAMONDS The Group owns the Letšeng diamond mine in Lesotho and the Ghaghoo mine in Botswana, with Head Offices in the United Kingdom and Sales Marketing and Manufacturing capabilities in Belgium. SMD is jointly owned by Namakwa Diamonds Limited and the Lesotho Government. The Mothae mine is a kimberlite diamond mine located in Lesotho, Africa. Glass, cement, ceramic and associated industries, Textile, garment, shoes, leather and textile services, The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), its formation from a merger process in 2015. A 910-carat diamond, named “The Lesotho Legend,” was bought by tender … Following the independence of the country, the mines were closed due to poor production. Keith was acknowledged by the Lesotho Government and was appointed Officer of the Most Loyal Order of Ramats’eatsana (OMLOR), “in recognition of his outstanding contribution in the diamond mining industry in Lesotho” at the King’s Birthday Celebrations on 17 July, 2010. General secretary Daniel Theko led his organizers in the four-day activity. © Copyright 2018 - IndustriALL - We care about your personal information and data. The Mothae mine turned out to … Physical Address: Letseng Diamonds Hse Cnr Kingsway & Old School Rd, Maseru, Lesotho. This is the context in which Storm Mountain Diamonds ("SMD") took over the mining lease at Kao in 2010 and in which Namakwa Diamonds Limited invested, in the aftermath of an insolvent operation.  info@stormmountaindiamonds.com, Sitemap Lucapa Diamond Company Limited holds a 70% interest in Mothae Diamonds (Pty) Limited which has a 100% interest in the Mothae Diamond Project. “The diamond industry is under greater pressure to improve its social and environmental performance, while workers face challenges of job security, trade union rights and achieving the decent work agenda,”. says Glen Mpufane, director of mining and diamond, gems, ornaments and jewellery production, who led the organizing and recruitment drive. Firestone Diamonds Plc said Monday the Liqhobong Diamond Mine, which it operates in a 75-25 joint venture with the government of the Kingdom of Lesotho, has been on care and maintenance since April 9 due to COVID-19. Fax: +266 2231 0546. Creditors filed for liquidation in 2009 and a provisional order was granted. The Lulo alluvial mine and Mothae kimberlite mine both produce large and high-value diamonds, with >75% of revenues generated from the recovery of +4.8 carat stones. Batla owns 100% of Superkolong Diamond Operations . Lesotho is one of Africa’s significant new diamond producers, hosting Gem Diamonds’ Letšeng Mine, Firestone’s Liqhobong Mine, Namakwa Diamonds’ Kao Mine and Lucapa’s Mothae Mine.-ends- Kao Diamond Mine. The Sub-Saharan Africa regional office was represented by regional programme officer Charles Kumbi. High in the Maluti mountains of Lesotho, in the Leribe region, at an elevation of 3,100 metres above sea level, operators such as the United Kingdom’s Gem Diamonds Letšeng mine produce high colour and quality diamonds. Like many diamond mines worldwide, Letšeng went on care and maintenance in late March because of the spread of COVID-19. The mining of diamonds started in the country only in the later part of the 1950s. Mir. Mothae Kimberlite Mine in Lesotho is reported to have recovered the first largest gem-quality 126 carat diamond. Lucapa is a niche diamond producer and explorer with a unique mix of high-value mines in Angola (Lulo) and Lesotho (Mothae) and exciting exploration projects. While it’s hard to establish a price for such … These mines are in various stages of development or initial production. We employ 700 + people and have contributed M700 million to government fiscus through taxes. The recently released report titled Real Care is Rare says “the diamond sector is at cross-roads” with urgent need to balance its precious commodity amid the brutal […] Home Lesotho Maseru Diamond Mines LETSENG DIAMONDS Back To Results. Take a look at our Privacy Policy. The mine is located only 5km from Gem Diamonds’ (LON:GEMD) Letšeng, the world’s highest dollar-per-carat kimberlite diamond mine. Discovered by Basutoland Diamonds in 1961, the mine is a source of large and premium-value diamonds such as the rare Type IIa whites and coloured gems. Email: communications@letseng.co.ls. But these were not its only woes. El Nino Mining creates 50/50 SPV with Emu NL (Australia) to purchase Superkolong . Lesotho is known for producing large diamonds.  Data Privacy Policy. [2017 TR, p. 10] CLOSE Resource: Superkolong, SA. Storm Mountain Diamonds (Pty) Ltd ('SMD') operates a kimberlite diamond mine at Kao, Lesotho. The underground … Box 750 0100 Maseru Lesotho [email protected] (266) 22323750 (266) 22310498. www.mines.gov.ls. The company also has a 40% stake in the prolific Lulo mine in Angola, where operations resumed partially in May_Mining.com Gem Diamonds Ltd. said Friday it had an unearthed a 442-carat diamond at its Letseng mine in Lesotho. Geological surveys have revealed a limited variety of other exploitable mineral resources. The committed and high-risk taking character of its investors, visionary management and dedicated team have all made it possible for the mine to continue operating. We take no responsibility for the accuracy of the translation. The remaining 30% of Mothae Diamonds is held by the Government of Lesotho. Various commercial mining enterprises dabbled with the prospects of developing this mine, however, their exploration results showed that while the kimberlite body was diamondiferous, the grade and the value of the diamonds were too low to make the development of the mine economically viable. Lesotho has long been known as a source of diamonds, mostly from alluvial deposits, and was seeing a revival of its diamond mining industry. Eventually it was in debt to creditors to the tune of approximately M40 million, without the cash flow or funding to service these debts. Firestone is an international diamond mining company with operations in Lesotho. Letšeng Diamond Mine is situated at 3200m above sea level in the Maluti Mountains of the Kingdom of Lesotho in Africa. Lucapa finds another +100ct diamond at Lesotho mine With the find, diamonds over 100 carats unearthed at the southern lobe of the mine totalled four. Lucapa has a 70% stake in the operation. IDUL has undertaken the task of organizing these mineworkers. Paragon Diamonds also owns 80% of the Lemphane mine, with the Lesotho government owning the rest. The kimberlite pipe is the largest in Lesotho and the fourth largest in Southern Africa. Lemphane is less than 30 kilometers from the Letseng mine operated by Gem Diamonds. Government officials revived exploration in 2004, and then something remarkable happened: miners unearthed the Lesotho Promise in 2006. Letšeng Diamonds (Pty) Ltd holds the mining lease granted in 1999 by the Government of Lesotho. Use Google to translate the web site. Follow GIM International on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter or sign up for the newsletter! Join GIM International. White stones of excellent quality are produced, and fancy pink diamonds (pictured) are sometimes found. May 2014. In 2010, Keith Whitelock and his team were instrumental in re-developing the Kao mine in such a way that, whilst creating an attractive financial environment for investors, while maximum benefits accrued to the Basotho and to the Lesotho Nation, by way of employment opportunities and local development. “The luxury diamond, mining, gems, ornament and jewellery production industry does not reflect the harsh reality of the working conditions suffered by those working in the sector, including women,” said Dan Theko, general secretary of IDUL. The Letšeng diamond mine, found in the landlocked Southern African kingdom of Lesotho, is owned by Gem Diamonds, Ltd. and the government of Lesotho, and at an elevation of 3,100 m (10,000 ft) it is the world's highest diamond mine. Kolo Mining at the Reskol Diamond Mine Lesotho. LETSENG DIAMONDS. Mir or Mirny is another diamond mine located in the Yakutia region of Russia. Recognizing the scale task of organizing in mines buried deep in the remote mountain valleys of the Maluti mountains, IDUL invited IndustriALL and affiliate the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) to assist and participate in its organizing drive. MOTHAE KIMBERLITE MINE Lucapa owns 70% of the high-value Mothae kimberlite mine in partnership with the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho (30%). Among these diamonds recovered are the 910 carat Lesotho Legend, the 603 carat Lesotho Promise, the 550 carat Letšeng Star and the 493 carat Letšeng Legacy. The mine is regarded as a low-grade deposit, but the diamonds produced are of high value. The organizing drive, conducted in a freezing cold mountain winter, involved a two-day training workshop and an organizing and recruitment drive at British miners Firestone Diamonds’ flagship Liqhobong mine. London—One of the diamond mines in Lesotho known for producing large, valuable stones will remain shuttered until next spring, at least. The company’s expansion plan led to increased production in the 2018 financial year of 52 537 carats, up from 51 173 carats in 2017. The government of Lesotho owns the remaining 30%. February 2013. Even though Lesotho doesn’t have a large number of diamonds they produce on regular bases, the country maintains its reputation with its consistent production of very large diamonds. Bereng Mpaki LETŠENG and Kao diamond mines have been fingered by the Kimberly Process Civil Society Coalition (KP CSC) for violation of human rights in Lesotho’s mining sector.   (+266) 525 44444 24 May, 2018Deep inside the mountain kingdom of Lesotho lies untapped treasure that is attracting global diamond mining capital. We take up the fight for better working conditions and trade union rights around the world. The vision of IDUL is to become the fastest growing mining union in Lesotho. Mineral production contributed 3% of GDP between 1995 and 2001. KDM failed to pay royalties to the Government of Lesotho during the period that it held the Kao mining lease. KDM commenced production in around 2006 and within no time KDM was evidently struggling with poor production. The Letšeng mine is located in the Maluti Mountains of Lesotho and is renowned for its recovery of large, high quality, exceptional Type II diamonds. Liqhobong is located at the head of the Liqhobong Valley in the Maluti Mountains of northern Lesotho and is operated by Liqhobong Mining Development Company (Proprietary) Limited (‘LMDC’), which is 75% owned by Firestone Diamonds and 25% owned by the Government of Lesotho. Lesotho is known as the highest $ per carat producer of diamonds in the world. Some of the diamonds mined on yearly bases are larger than 100 carats. 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