News: BKT UPDATE 1-Petra Diamonds to grant Tanzania 16% free carried interest in Williamson mine

(Adds details on framework agreement, other mining companies present)

DAR ES SALAAM, Dec 13 (Reuters) - Petra Diamonds PDL.L will grant the government of Tanzania a 16% free carried interest in its subsidiary Williamson Diamonds Limited, CEO Richard Duffy said at a signing ceremony in Dar Es Salaam on Monday.

The move, expected to be included in a framework agreement to be signed on Monday, will bring Petra into line with Tanzania's mining legislation which sees the government granted a 16% free carried interest in all major mines in the country.

Williamson is Tanzania's only major diamond mine. Petra Diamonds and the government of Tanzania will each give up a proportionate amount of their current stakes to grant the 16% free carried interest, which is given to the state without any attached financial obligation.

Petra's stake will thus reduce from 75% to 63%, with Tanzania's stake increasing from 25% to 37%, Duffy said.

Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan was set to speak at the ceremony later on Monday. Black Rock Mining, OreCorp, Peak Resources, and Strandline Resources were also at the event, where other agreements were expected to be signed.

Strandline last week said it had made "excellent progress" towards completing its framework agreement with the Tanzanian government.