PDL Petra Diamonds Limited

 
TIDMPDL 
 
10 November 2022                                                                                                                                         LSE: PDL 
 
FOR IMMEDIATE 
RELEASE 
 
                            Petra Diamonds Limited 
                         ("Petra") or the ("Company") 
 
 Update regarding Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) wall breach at Williamson in 
                                   Tanzania 
 
Petra announces an update following the TSF wall breach and flooding event at 
the Williamson mine. 
 
Further to its announcement dated 7 November 2022, Petra confirms that no 
fatalities or serious injuries occurred as a result of the incident. Three 
injuries of a minor nature have been reported and appropriate treatment has 
been provided. 
 
The cause of the breach is not yet confirmed and an investigation is underway 
comprising technical teams from Williamson Diamonds Limited (WDL) and Petra who 
are at the site. The services of an independent external specialist have also 
been retained to assist with WDL's investigation and who will provide a report 
to the Petra Board. 
 
Impact on the environment and local community 
 
From an initial assessment, supported by the use of satellite imagery, the main 
portion of the tailings have been contained by the New Alamasi water dam which 
sits within the Mine Lease Area to the north east of the TSF. A portion of 
tailings has flowed around the dam into a tributary to the north of the New 
Alamasi water dam. Flow below the dam consisted mainly of water and was largely 
contained by the topography. 
 
WDL is working closely and collaboratively with local, Regional and National 
authorities to assess the environmental damage and to  put in place and 
implement remediation plans as soon as possible. WDL and Petra appreciate the 
prompt response and assistance that has been provided by these authorities. 
 
A total of 13 dwellings have been affected and the emergency response teams' 
immediate priority has been to provide accommodation and humanitarian aid to 
those affected. A socio-economic survey has been initiated, supported by an 
external social impact specialist, to determine additional social impact. 
Extensive and ongoing engagement with communities will continue to take place, 
together with the Government, to ensure that key stakeholders are kept 
appraised of WDL's response, including planned remediation activities. 
 
Technical and Production 
 
WDL's technical team with the support of members of Petra's South African 
technical team are working together on-site to resume production safely and in 
accordance with applicable standards and procedures. Detailed planning is 
underway to bring a new TSF into operation which was already under construction 
at the time of the incident and which requires construction of a new wall on 
the boundary of the failed TSF.  A preliminary estimate suggests that 
production will be temporarily suspended for up to three months until the new 
TSF has been commissioned.  In the interim, and to minimise the overall/medium 
term impact of the lost production, planned maintenance will be brought forward 
along with accelerated waste stripping. 
 
Further updates will be provided in due course. 
 
Petra currently has a 75% shareholding in Williamson Diamonds Limited, with the 
Government of Tanzania owning the remaining 25%. 
 
                                    Ends 
 
For further information, please contact: 
 
Petra Diamonds, London                  Telephone: +44 20 7494 8203 
 
Patrick Pittaway 
investorrelations@petradiamonds.com 
 
Julia Stone 
 
About Petra Diamonds Limited 
 
Petra Diamonds is a leading independent diamond mining group and a supplier of 
gem quality rough diamonds to the international market. The Group's portfolio 
incorporates interests in three underground producing mines in South Africa 
(Finsch, Cullinan Mine and Koffiefontein) and one open pit mine in Tanzania 
(Williamson). 
 
Petra's strategy is to focus on value rather than volume production by 
optimising recoveries from its high-quality asset base in order to maximise 
their efficiency and profitability. The Group has a significant resource base 
of ca. 226.6 million carats, which supports the potential for long-life 
operations. 
 
Petra strives to conduct all operations according to the highest ethical 
standards and only operates in countries which are members of the Kimberley 
Process. The Group aims to generate tangible value for each of its 
stakeholders, thereby contributing to the socio-economic development of its 
host countries and supporting long-term sustainable operations to the benefit 
of its employees, partners and communities. 
 
Petra is quoted with a premium listing on the Main Market of the London Stock 
Exchange under the ticker 'PDL'. The Group's loan notes due in 2026 are listed 
on the Irish Stock Exchange and admitted to trading on the Global Exchange 
Market. For more information, visit www.petradiamonds.com. 
 
 
 
END 
 
 

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November 10, 2022 09:22 ET (14:22 GMT)

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