Diamond mines not forever at Petra

Diamond mine operator Petra Diamonds has kicked off the disposal process in respect of its fissure mines in South Africa. The sale was first mooted at the end of July.

The fissure mines up for grabs comprise the Helam, Sedibeng and Star assets. The Sedibeng operation is an amalgamation of the Messina and Dancarl fissure mines, as well as the Bellsbank kimberlite pipe.

Helam, Sedibeng and Star are well-established fissure mines which have been in operation for more than 50 years. Helam is located 70 kilometres (km) west of Rustenburg in the North West Province, Sedibeng is located 80km north-west of Kimberley in the Northern Cape Province, and Star is located 4km south of Welkom in the Free State Province.

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In what reads like a classified advert, Petra Diamonds said: "Interested parties are invited to submit expressions of interest, along with signed confidentiality undertakings and completed credentials questionnaires, by no later than 5:00pm BST/ 6:00pm CAT on Friday, 21 stSeptember in order to be considered for participation in the sale process."

JH