REG-Petra Diamonds: Update re Williamson TSF wall breach

Petra DiamondsAnnouncement

17/01/2023 07:15

17 January 2023   LSE: PDL 

Petra Diamonds Limited
(“Petra”) or the (“Company”)

Update regarding Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) wall breach at Williamson in
Tanzania

In follow up to its announcement of 30 November 2022, Petra provides a further
update regarding the TSF wall breach at the Williamson mine on 7 November
2022.

Impact on the environment and local community

Precautionary measures, detailed in the announcement of 30 November 2022, to
contain the tailings material and strengthen the New Alamasi water dam were
completed in early January 2023. The creation of a safety bund, mitigating
risk in affected areas, has also been completed.

Environmental assessments, with the assistance of independent experts,
continue to be carried out by Williamson Diamonds Limited (WDL) to determine
how best to clean-up or remediate affected areas. Trials are also in place to
identify the best land use options post remediation of affected areas. To
date, these studies indicate that areas lying within the Mining Lease Area
(MLA) are best suited to be returned to wilderness, either as forest or
wetlands, through amelioration of the soil and revegetation. Areas outside of
the MLA are treated according to the depth of tailings material, where thinner
layers of tailings can be mixed into the surrounding soil and thicker layers
can be used for agricultural purposes following trials which demonstrate that
enrichment with compost will enable cash crops to be farmed on a viable basis.

Since initial estimates announced on 10 November 2022, it has been confirmed
that a total of 286 individuals from 50 houses were relocated as a result of
the breach. Of these, 130 individuals from 22 houses returned back to their
former homes which have been deemed safe. 145 individuals from 23 houses are
currently accommodated in houses rented by WDL and 11 individuals from five
rental houses have secured alternative rental accommodation. All affected
households have been provided with accommodation and humanitarian relief
within the village they were displaced from.

In addition, the vulnerability of affected people is an important
consideration and a key component of WDL’s work. Psychosocial support is
being provided and once any issues are identified, a mitigation process is
implemented.

The evaluation of impacted livelihoods, undertaken by WDL and independent
experts, to ensure that affected individuals are appropriately compensated is
nearing completion. Once finalised, a report will be submitted to government
authorities for approval. Once approval is received, WDL will commence with
initial restoration measures (including monetary and in-kind compensation
measures).

Alternative agricultural land is being identified to enable farming activities
for those affected to recommence as soon as possible and this work is ongoing
in keeping with Tanzanian law and international standards for resettlement.

WDL, along with local, regional and national authorities, continues its
extensive engagements with local communities to ensure that key stakeholders
are kept informed of WDL’s response, including planned remediation
activities.

Technical and Production

As announced on 30 November 2022, the root cause of the subsidence that led to
the breach has not yet been determined and requires a forensic geotechnical
investigation including detailed InSAR  analysis to be completed. This work
has been initiated and is being undertaken by an independent company that
specializes in tailings dam design and management. Estimates for completion of
these studies remain between 6 and 12 months. Petra continues to work
constructively with the Tanzanian Mining Commission and key findings will be
published once complete.

A comprehensive risk assessment is underway at all of the mine’s tailings
facilities. Work to identify the best interim tailings storage facility is
continuing with external experts from Tanzania and South Africa. Once competed
a detailed report will be forwarded to the Government of Tanzania for
approval. This will allow startup of production to commence while work is
being conducted on the longer-term tailings storage solution. The current
estimate of production resuming at the beginning of FY 2024 remains.

Financial

WDL is considering additional financing options to provide support during this
period and is engaging with the Government of Tanzania regarding the sale of
the previously blocked and confiscated diamond parcel, the proceeds of which
the Government of Tanzania has agreed to allocate to WDL under the Framework
Agreement entered into at the end of December 2021.

WDL and Petra remain appreciative of the continued cooperation and assistance
provided by Government, local authorities, community leadership and affected
parties.

Further updates will be provided in due course.

~ 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 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
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.



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