RAPAPORT… Firestone Diamonds is assessing its ability to
remain operational, as it struggles with mounting debt and lower prices in the
weak market.
“From a market perspective, pricing remains subdued,”
Firestone CEO Paul Bosma said last week. “The company continues to engage with
its debtholders to ensure it can sustain operations through the current
downturn, and further announcements in this regard can be expected in due
course.”
Sales of rough diamonds from the company’s Liqhobong mine in
Lesotho fell 21% year on year to $10.6 million in the first fiscal quarter
ending September 30. Sales volume dropped 13% to 168,612 carats, with the miner
achieving an average price of $63 per carat, compared to $70 the previous year.
The average price per carat was lower than the previous quarter,
despite the sale of several high-value stones, including a 37-carat, fancy-pink
stone and a 55-carat, fancy-yellow stone, the miner noted. This was due to the fact that the majority of rough sold was comprised of either lower-value
or smaller-sized goods, the company
added.
Firestone’s production slipped 16% to 201,091 carats for the
three-month period. Although Firestone mined ore predominantly from the
higher-grade southern pit, the grade was lower than the company expected, seemingly because the ore gets harder as the miner deepens the pit, it explained.
The company also expects production and sales to fall in the
second quarter, it noted. A power interruption at Liqhobong, which has affected
operations since October 1, is expected to cause the loss of an entire month’s
production, and the miner has had to cancel its December tender because it will
not have enough rough to offer buyers.
“The loss of revenue and higher operating costs will impact
the company’s cash balance, and together with the impact of a weaker
diamond-pricing environment, has placed further focus on finding an interim
solution regarding its indebtedness,” Firestone said.
Image: The Liqhobong mine. (Firestone Diamonds)
Firestone Questions Future of Operations
The Bottom Line
- Firestone's rough diamond sales fell 21% year-on-year to $10.6 million in Q1, with average prices dropping to $63 per carat from $70.
- Production declined 16% to 201,091 carats due to lower-than-expected ore grade and operational issues, including a power outage causing a month-long production loss.
- The company is engaging with debtholders to sustain operations amid weaker pricing and increased costs, canceling its December tender due to insufficient rough supply.
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