Lucapa Diamond Company Limited (ASX: LOM) has recovered another +100 carat white diamond from the Lulo alluvial mine in Angola.
The 171 carat gem-quality white stone is the 15th +100 carat diamond recovered to date from Lulo and the second +100 carat diamond recovered for 2020. It is also the fourth largest diamond recovered to date since activities began at Lulo.
Managing Director, Stephen Wetherall, said this 171 carat white diamond was recovered from Mining Block 6 as scaled mining operations re- commenced at Lulo. Mining Block 6 has now produced six +100 carat diamonds.
Mining Blocks 6 and 8 together have now produced 13 of the 15 +100 carat diamonds recovered in total at Lulo, including Angola’s largest recorded gem – the 404 carat February 4 Stone recovered and sold in 2016 for US$16 million.
The recovery of this 171 carat gem-quality white diamond continues to underpin the potential of the kimberlite exploration programme as drilling of the high-priority kimberlites in the Canguige catchment continues,” Mr Wetherall said.
Perth-based Lucapa is a niche diamond producer with high-value mines in Angola (Lulo) and Lesotho (Mothae).
The Lulo alluvial mine and Mothae kimberlite mine both produce large and high-value diamonds, with >75% of revenues generated from the recovery of +4.8 carat stones.