Namakwa Mining Agreement and Lease

The Kingdom of Lesotho has transferred the Kao kimberlite pipe’s mining lease to Namakwa Batla Diamonds Pty Ltd (NBDL) and signed a mining agreement with the company. NBDL is a joint venture between Namakwa Diamonds Limited and Batla Minerals SA.

The government of Lesotho is also a partner in the Kao kimberlite pipe as are Lesotho investors.

The Kao kimberlite pipe, Namakwa Diamond's first kimberlite, is estimated to contain 12.4 million carats. The first production phase is planned to produce 700,000 carats. Kao's main kimberlite pipe is the largest in Lesotho and the fourth largest in southern africa at 19.8 hectares. 

The company intends to develop Kao from its current internal resources, mining 10 million tons of kimberlite being processed for the recovery of 700,000 carats, over a five year period. Thereafter it is planned to ramp up production to 5 million tons a year with an expected life of mine in excess of 40 years.