Speaking at the official opening of the mine on November 26, Mr. Mosisili said the mine, which had originally been opened in 1977, had closed a few years later in 1982 with the authorities offering some rather implausible excuses for the closure, such as the fact that diamonds of the size of those being produced at Lets'eng had lost market value.

Government had entered into agreement with JCI Limited and Matodzi resources in 1999 for the resumption of operations. Although commercial production had delayed a bit, because of the country's unique topography, the mine had since produced diamonds of such high quality that its been worth the delay.

Twelve and a half million Maloti in royalties have already been received and in these initial stages, 400 people employed at the mine, the Prime Minister revealed.

Mr Mosisili also announced that preparations were underway for another mine to be opened at Liqhobong with another at Kao soon to follow. Judging by the the economic benefit accrued so far from the Lets'eng mine, the two planned mines would go a long way towards helping reduce some of the country's scourges: poverty and unemployment, he said.

In addition to sponsoring students in mining related fields of study, Lets'eng Diamonds is also involved in local sports sponsorship, such as the forthcoming Mokhotlong marathon, the Prime Minister revealed.

29 November 2004