235-ct Gem: Lucapa Announces Another Huge Recovery
November 09, 23
(IDEX Online) - Lucapa says it has recovered a 235-carat diamond at Lulo, Angola, just a week after announcing a 208-carat stone from the same mine.
Both diamonds are Type IIa and are the 39th and 40th +100-ct recoveries since the alluvial mine began commercial operation in January 2015.
Several weeks ago Lucapa recovered another +100-ct gem from Lulo, this time weighing 123 carats.
"Lulo continues to demonstrate it is a prolific producer of large diamonds," said Lucapa managing director Nick Selby.
"To unearth three +100 carat diamonds - with two being over 200 carats in such a short space of time from different areas of the concession, makes us more determined to find the primary source, by dedicating even more resources to the exploration program."
All three +100-ct diamonds are likely to be sold at a special tender being organized by Sodiam E.P in Luanda later this month.
The largest ever recovery at the Lulo alluvial mine - which commands the highest price per carat for alluvial diamonds in the world - was a 404 carat Type IIa diamond, in February 2016.
Lucapa holds a 40 per cent stake in Lulo. The remainder is owned by Angola's national diamond company Endiama (32 per cent) and by private Angolan company Rosas & Petalas (28 per cent).
Pic courtesy Lucapa.