10 November
2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
LSE:
PDL |
Petra Diamonds Limited
(“Petra”) or the
(“Company”)
Update regarding
Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) wall breach at Williamson in
Tanzania
Petra announces an update following the TSF wall breach and
flooding event at the Williamson mine.
Further to its announcement dated 7
November 2022, Petra confirms that no fatalities or serious
injuries occurred as a result of the incident. Three injuries of a
minor nature have been reported and appropriate treatment has been
provided.
The cause of the breach is not yet confirmed and an
investigation is underway comprising technical teams from
Williamson Diamonds Limited (WDL) and Petra who are at the
site. The services of an independent external specialist have also
been retained to assist with WDL’s investigation and who will
provide a report to the Petra Board.
Impact on the environment and local
community
From an initial assessment, supported by the use of satellite
imagery, the main portion of the tailings have been contained by
the New Alamasi water dam which sits within the Mine Lease Area to
the north east of the TSF. A portion of tailings has flowed around
the dam into a tributary to the north of the New Alamasi water dam.
Flow below the dam consisted mainly of water and was largely
contained by the topography.
WDL is working closely and collaboratively with local, Regional
and National authorities to assess the environmental damage and to
put in place and implement remediation plans as soon as
possible. WDL and Petra appreciate the prompt response and
assistance that has been provided by these authorities.
A total of 13 dwellings have been affected and the emergency
response teams’ immediate priority has been to provide
accommodation and humanitarian aid to those affected. A
socio-economic survey has been initiated, supported by an external
social impact specialist, to determine additional social impact.
Extensive and ongoing engagement with communities will continue to
take place, together with the Government, to ensure that key
stakeholders are kept appraised of WDL’s response, including
planned remediation activities.
Technical and Production
WDL’s technical team with the support of members of Petra’s
South African technical team are working together on-site to resume
production safely and in accordance with applicable standards and
procedures. Detailed planning is underway to bring a new TSF into
operation which was already under construction at the time of the
incident and which requires construction of a new wall on the
boundary of the failed TSF. A preliminary estimate suggests
that production will be temporarily suspended for up to three
months until the new TSF has been commissioned. In the
interim, and to minimise the overall/medium term impact of the lost
production, planned maintenance will be brought forward along with
accelerated waste stripping.
Further updates will be provided in due course.
Petra currently has a 75% shareholding in Williamson Diamonds
Limited, with the Government of Tanzania owning the remaining 25%.
~ Ends ~
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 Group’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 ca. 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 Group 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 Group’s loan
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.