Lucara Diamond Corp has announced that it epects to recommence mining activities at its 100% owned Karowe diamond mine in Botswana by early March 2017 following the appointement of a new mining contractor at the site. The mining activity will be carried out by Aveng Moolmans, a company forming part of Aveng Mining.

The Company said it has finalised a six year contract with Aveng Moolmans to provide the full suite of mining services at the Karowe mine, including all drill, blast, load and haul functions for both ore and waste. Mobilization of equipment to site will be carried out during January and February 2017 in preparation for the commencement of mining.

It may be recalled that in December 2016, Lucara had announced that it was terminating its five year contract for mining related services with Eqstra Botswana effective December 13, but had stated that during the period of an “orderly transition to a new contractor”, it would continue feeding the plant with stockpiled material from the south lobe. The Company had said that the change in mining contractor was not expected to have any material impact on production.