| Second Diamond Mine May Open in April | |
| The
Liqhobong Development Mining Company is expected to be operational by April
this year. Construction at the mine is at such an advanced stage that the
mine could have been opened earlier had it not been delayed by the recent
heavy rains. Commissioner of Mines Ms. Nyakallo Mpatuoa said even though Liqhobong is not going to be as big a plant as the Lets'eng Diamond Mine, the diamond mining sector has a bright future in the country. Government had agreed with the Lets'eng Mining Company for the training of several Basotho in mining so that they are later able to take up managerial positions in the sector. The Commissioner however noted the challenge of getting people with expertise in the field who also have good financial backing. Her office had received many applications from companies and individuals who wished to obtain mining licences as a result of the success at Lets'eng Diamonds. They were particularly concerned about the phenomenon of diamond smuggling, Ms. Mpatuoa said. The Commissioner said however that there were other mineral resources besides diamond mining, such as sandstones, quarry and clay soil that could be fully exploited for the economic growth of the country. Two quarry mining operations,
one at Ha Ntsi in the Maseru district and the other at Peka in Leribe, have
reduced the importing of quarry from South Africa. 02 February 2005 |
|
| source: LENA |