Mwana Africa, a company with interests in exploration and mining activity across a range of both precious and non-precious commodities, has reported a 45% drop in diamond sales and a 7% fall in the prices received for fine diamonds produced by the mine quarter-on-quarter, it said while releasing a project update on its various mining projects in Africa during the quarter ended June 30, 2015.

The company operates the Klipspringer diamond project in South Africa. It said that Klipspringer’s throughput of Marsfontein fine residue tailings fell to 38,760 tonnes which was 10% lower than in Q4 FY2015. It added that head grade improved by 8% to 44 carats per hundred tonnes (cpht).

During the quarter, mining continued through a transition zone so as to access higher grade material.

Yat Hoi Ning, Mwana’s Executive Chairman, commented, “The past quarter has not been without its challenges, but I am pleased to say that they have been addressed progressively and appropriately. Our main challenges have been external, particularly those of falling commodity prices.

“At our Klipspringer diamond joint venture revenues were affected by the lower diamond prices that have been affecting all diamond producers. The processing plant, which recovers gems from old slimes tailings, suffered temporary technical problems which lowered production, but this is expected to be resolved in the current quarter.”

Mwana Africa also operates a gold project at Freda Rebecca (Zimbabwe), and is conducting mining and exploration activities in Africa for various other metal groups.