Staff Reporters
Nestled in the diamond-rich Maluti Mountains of Lesotho, the Mothae diamond mine stands as a beacon of excellence in diamond production, renowned for its large, high-value diamonds.
Owned by global diamond producer Lucapa Diamonds, Mothae Diamonds commenced commercial operations in 2019, leveraging state-of-the-art technology to maximize diamond recovery while minimizing operational costs.
At the heart of Mothae’s success lies TOMRA’s XRT sorting technology and digital solutions. The mine relies on TOMRA’s innovative sorting technology to recover large unbroken diamonds with remarkable efficiency and throughput. This partnership has propelled Mothae to command the second-highest dollar per carat for kimberlite diamonds worldwide.
The mine’s recovery plant operates two TOMRA COM Tertiary XRT 1200 sorters, meticulously separating diamonds from ore with unparalleled precision. These sorters, equipped with TOMRA Insight platform and TOMRA ACT user interface, ensure optimal sorting efficiency and productivity. Connected to the cloud-based TOMRA Insight platform, the sorters generate valuable data, enabling remote monitoring and real-time troubleshooting.
Macobone Semelane, Recovery Superintendent at Mothae, underscores the transformative impact of TOMRA’s technology on the mine’s operations. He praises TOMRA Insight for revolutionizing production management, empowering operators with comprehensive data analytics and insights.
Furthermore, Semelane lauds TOMRA’s unwavering support, emphasizing the exceptional service and expertise provided by the TOMRA team. Kothalo Matoli, Recovery Mechanician at Mothae, echoes Semelane’s sentiment, highlighting TOMRA’s responsiveness and dedication to ensuring seamless operations.
As Mothae continues its journey of excellence in diamond recovery, TOMRA’s cutting-edge technology remains a cornerstone of its success. With a commitment to innovation and efficiency, Mothae stands poised to redefine standards in diamond production and pave the way for a prosperous future in the mining industry.