25 May 2012

New look at Firestone

30/03/2011 Robert Tyerman

Tim Wilkes has replaced Philip Kenny as chief executive officer of Firestone Diamonds (FDI), as its Liqhobong mine in Lesotho resumes production. Wilkes, former head of mining resource management at gem giant De Beers, joined AIM-quoted Firestone six years ago as chief operating officer and helped re-orient its efforts, takes the helm at a time when the company hopes to take annual production from Liqhobong to 500,000 carats a year.

Kenny, whose father Jim Kenny stood down as chairman not so long ago along with co-founder Hugh Jenner-Clarke, has become executive chairman of Firestone and argues the changes reflect its move from development to production, which has started well. He suggests the company, which acquired Liqhobong when it bought Kopane Diamonds from entrepreneur Frank Scolaro's Obtala Resources, could generate revenues of $50 million (£31 million) in this calendar year, helped by the rising trend of rough diamond prices.

Firestone's other chief project, BK 11 in Botswana, is suffering 'teething problems' with its plant, which needs to modify its ore crushing circuits. Kenny says this will be done by the end of the second quarter. Broker Mirabaud sees the company, which cut losses from £11 million to £2.4 million in the financial year to last June, losing £2 million inn 2010-11 before moving into profits to the tune of £10 million in 2011-12.

Firestone shares have been mostly poor performers since their 1998 flotation at 114p and, having traded between 42.5p and 23.5p over the past year, now stand at 30p, down 0.5p this morning, valuing the company at £97 million. The company says it is a changed animal and the shares offer speculative recovery potential, if Liqhobong performs as expected.   

   

             

Tags: AIM market, De Beers, Diamonds, Lesotho, Tim Wilkes

Sector: Mining

Companies: Firestone Diamonds

Achieve impressive returns

Gain instant access to some of the best-performing and fastest growing companies in the small cap arena

Click here

Achieve impressive returns on the go

Gain instant access to some of the best-performing and fastest growing companies in the small cap arena. Sign up NOW!

Institutional Investors in AIM 2011 - New Report

This unique study analyses the shareholdings of companies listed on AIM, extracting trends including rankings of the value and number of their investments.
Please click here to order your copy of the report or call 0207 250 7056.

Coverage of AIM, techMARK and PLUS Markets

Informative features and research on fast-growing companies, small-cap and growth stocks, penny shares, stock market tips and share recommendations, directors' dealings, company news and analysis, new issues and upcoming IPOs.

If you're interested in business tax updates visit our specialist tax guide website.

Latest small-cap and growth company news

Daily coverage of small-cap company stocks on London's junior markets AIM and PLUS, breaking news, stock research and latest share price information for investors. Full sector coverage with all the latest news on smaller listed companies, updated several times a day with financial reports, trading statements and links to further web resources.

Popular News

Latest News

Gulf starts at Sheikh Adi-2 25/05/2012

Iraq-focused oil explorer Gulf Keystone Petroleum (GKP) has begun drilling at the Sheikh Adi-2 well in the Sheikh Adi block.

Tags: Doing business in Iraq, Drilling on AIM, Oil on AIM

Sector: Oil & Gas Producers

Companies: Gulf Keystone Petroleum

Shell considers Cove 24/05/2012

Oil giant Shell is extending its offer period for Mozambique-focused Cove Energy (COV) after having its bid trumped by Thai government-owned PTT Exploration & Production.

Tags: Bid trumped, Doing business in Mozambique, Oil giants on AIM, Takeovers and bids

Sector: Oil & Gas Producers

Companies: Royal Dutch Shell 'A' , Cove Energy

Roxi reaches 1,360 metres 23/05/2012

Kazakhstan-focused Roxi Petroleum (RXP) has declared that its NK7 well in the Galaz aea has drilled to a depth of 1,360 metres.

Tags: AIM ventures, Doing business in Kazakhstan, Oil on AIM

Cluff Natural Resources joins AIM 22/05/2012

Steered by sector veteran Algy Cluff, North-Sea focused cash shell Cluff Natural Resources (CNR) has joined AIM.

Tags: Entrepreneurs on AIM, Gold mining, Oil and gas on AIM

Red Emperor exercises Shabeel 21/05/2012

Somalia-focused oil explorer Red Emperor Resources (RMP) has exercised its option to take part in the drilling of the Shabeel North well.

Tags: Business in the Puntland, Doing business in Somalia, Drilling for oil & gas, Oil on AIM

Sector: Oil & Gas Producers

Companies: Red Emperor Resources

Heritage happy in Iraq 18/05/2012

Oil concern Heritage Oil (HOIL) has reported its Miran West-3 well in Iraq could deliver 1,000 barrels per day of condensate.

Tags: Doing business in Iraq, Oil on the full list, Oil production, Target depth

Sector: Oil & Gas Producers

Companies: Heritage Oil

More News

Sectors