The Acting General Manager for the Letlhakane and Orapa mines, Dan Mahupela said yesterday that the tyre shortage has cost the mines 5.5 million tonnes loss of production. "But with the acquisition of the new tyres and trucks, production is looking good again, as the mines continue to mine in compliance with its strategic mine to plan index," reads a statement from the mine
Mahupela said that the mines have gone all out to ensure that they acquire the tyres despite a widespread international shortage, which is due to a busy mining activity.
" The mines are now on target to make for lost tonnages.
All the nine trucks that have been parked due to this crisis are now fully operational, while an additional four new trucks have been acquired to increase hauling capacity and offset the effect suffered in the last five months," said Mahupela.
With two additional trucks expected from the sister Jwaneng mine, Mahupela was upbeat that this will further speed up production. " At least there are positive signs that we are heading in the right direction already. Orapa mine is 15 percent above production budget for the month."
The mines are now supplied by tyres mainly from China, which are strengthened with nylon instead of the more durable ones of radial type, which are supported with a wire.
It has cost the mines in the region of P30 million to acquire the tyres and Mahupela was worried that the cost of acquiring the tyres reflects a more than 60 percent increase on the normal price in the international market.
Debswana has attributed the rise in tyre prices to their high demand from mining companies internationally.
Given the cordial relationship between the mines management and the workers through their union, Mahupela is positive that this would work for the mines towards achieving the set targets.
Early this year, the Orapa and Letlhakane mines set a new record in the 35 years of diamond mining by producing about 18.6 million carats of diamonds in 2006 from a target of about 17.3 million carats.
