FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Petra Diamonds Limited
(“Petra”) or the (“Company”)
Tailings Storage
Facility wall breach at Williamson in Tanzania
Petra announces that earlier today the eastern wall of the
Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) at the Williamson mine was
breached, resulting in flooding away from the pit which has
extended into certain areas outside of the mine lease area.
Williamson’s management are at the affected areas together with
the Regional and District Commissioners. Government and Mine
emergency response teams have been mobilised. To date, no injuries
or fatalities have been confirmed and the teams on the ground are
engaging with community members to keep them away from the affected
area.
A CEO-led team is being sent to the site to assist the mine team
and to provide any support required. Williamson’s management is
working closely with local and regional authorities and Petra will
provide further updates as information becomes available.
Mine production has been suspended pending an investigation into
the incident.
Petra currently has a 75% shareholding in Williamson Diamonds
Limited, with the Government of Tanzania owns the remaining 25%.
This announcement includes inside information as defined in
Article 7 of the UK Market Abuse Regulation No. 596/2014 and is
being released on behalf of Petra by the Company Secretary.
For further information, please
contact:
Petra Diamonds,
London
Telephone: +44 20 7494 8203
Patrick
Pittaway
investorrelations@petradiamonds.com
Julia Stone
About Petra Diamonds Limited
Petra Diamonds is a leading independent diamond mining group and
a supplier of gem quality rough diamonds to the international
market. The Company’s portfolio incorporates interests in three
underground producing mines in South
Africa (Finsch, Cullinan Mine and Koffiefontein) and one
open pit mine in Tanzania
(Williamson).
Petra's strategy is to focus on value rather than volume
production by optimising recoveries from its high-quality asset
base in order to maximise their efficiency and profitability. The
Group has a significant resource base of 226.6 million carats,
which supports the potential for long-life operations.
Petra strives to conduct all operations according to the highest
ethical standards and only operates in countries which are members
of the Kimberley Process. The Company aims to generate tangible
value for each of its stakeholders, thereby contributing to the
socio-economic development of its host countries and supporting
long-term sustainable operations to the benefit of its employees,
partners and communities.
Petra is quoted with a premium listing on the Main Market of the
London Stock Exchange under the ticker 'PDL'. The Company’s notes
due in 2026 are listed on the Irish Stock Exchange and admitted to
trading on the Global Exchange Market. For more information, visit
www.petradiamonds.com.