Firestone profits drop like a stone
Firestone Diamonds, AIM-quoted mining company, took a tumble after full year figures showed it had plunged deep into the red.
Firestone Diamonds, AIM-quoted mining company, took a tumble after full year figures showed it had plunged deep into the red.
The firm posted pre-tax losses of £30.4m, compared to a £3m loss the year before, on revenues that jumped to £6.5m from £2.5m.
A large proportion of this - £19.8m - related to an impairment charge and operating losses at its BK11 mine in Botswana, which has been mothballed.
MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
The firm has been hit by rough diamond prices, which declined significantly in November 2011 and have not yet recovered.
More specifically, the prices of smaller, near gem and brown diamonds present at its Liqhobong site in Lesotho remained under pressure, it said.
It is also undergoing a restructuring under its new management team and is focusing on Liqhobong, with the goal of becoming a one million carat per annum producer from 2015.
The company did no work on any of its exploration licences in Botswana during the year, saying it was investigating ways of unlocking value from these assets.
Shares were down 15.7% by 15:15, following the announcement.
MM
Get the latest financial news, insights and expert analysis from our award-winning MoneyWeek team, to help you understand what really matters when it comes to your finances.
MoneyWeek is written by a team of experienced and award-winning journalists, plus expert columnists. As well as daily digital news and features, MoneyWeek also publishes a weekly magazine, covering investing and personal finance. From share tips, pensions, gold to practical investment tips - we provide a round-up to help you make money and keep it.
-
Rishi Sunak: We need a cultural change to make people investPodcast On the MoneyWeek Talks podcast, Rishi Sunak tells Kalpana Fitzpatrick that we need better numeracy skills to improve financial literacy and boost the economy.
-
Crypto ETN warning: why adding them to your ISA could be riskyCrypto investors could be exposed to short-term market volatility thanks to HMRC rules if they buy cETNs into a stocks and shares ISA
