In less than 18 months since acquiring the DeLamar project, Integra has upgraded 90% of its global resource from the inferred to the measured and indicated category.

Despite the expectation, the miner believes output will be on the low end of guidance and the high-end of projected costs.

The material could form the basis of artificial enzymes, medical diagnostic tests and in water purification systems.

Following a request to review the project, the Ministry of Mines temporarily suspended the licence.

The mine was placed on care and maintenance in late 2006 because of operational difficulties and lower coal prices.

The miner produced 42% more diamonds than expected and sold 33% more than anticipated for 4% less revenue.

The state has one of the few known major deposits of the metal, with the potential to meet around a quarter of US demand.

In Asia, dozens of coal plants have come on line in recent years or are in the planning stages—with a normal lifetime of almost a half-century.