Simolotse/ Loxton

As of December 2006, the mine was placed on care and maintenance.

The gradual upgrading of Simolotse Mine continued with most of the emphasis being placed on increasing development underground. This progressed well with the main haulage on 1500 level linking No 1 and No 2 Shafts being completed in November 2005. In addition, two new stopes were opened up on 1600 level at No 1 Shaft. This level will be the main mining area for the foreseeable future and will ultimately join up with the development from No 2 Shaft.

The company accelerated the rate of development at the du Plessis shaft at the Loxton Mine in order to open up new stopes and equipping this shaft down to 1750 level. The decrease in the 2005 production was a result of a temporary halt of production of the Ardo shaft in order to upgrade the shaft system and winder. During fiscal 2001 to 2002, Du Plessis shaft was deepened. During fiscal 2002, only Ardo shaft produced 9,933 carats, from 35,265 total mined tonnes, thus giving a total recovered yield of 28.17cpht. From the 15th of July 2001, the Ardo shaft and its sub-shafts were closed for 10 weeks to enable the upgrading of the shaft infrastructure. Current development (Aug/02) at Loxton focuses mainly on the deepening of the Du Plessis shaft to 17 level (current level of operations is 15 level). A new mud-pumping system has being introduced and pumps mud from the Ardo shaft 15 level (450 m) straight up to surface. The old pumping system is used as a backup. The mud from Du Plessis is pumped to the Ardo shaft on 14 level. The Du Plessis shaft development programme has been completed during April 2002, 6 months behind schedule. The shaft will only be in full production in the third quarter of fiscal year 2002.