JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – ASX-listed Lucapa Diamonds has made A$2.9-million from the sale of 1 862 ct of diamonds from its Lulo mine, in Angola, representing an average price of A$1 580/ct.
Since the sale, Lucapa had recovered some large diamonds, which weigh more than 10.8 ct, from trial mining at the E46 alluvial terraces, including diamonds weighing more than 60 ct, 35 ct and 21 ct.
Lucapa reported this week that the end of the Angolan wet season had also enabled the company and its partners to resume alluvial diamond mining operations at Mining Block 6, where initial special recoveries had included a 13 ct fancy yellow – one of the largest fancy-coloured gems recovered to date at Lulo.
Mining operations were also expected to resume at Mining Block 8 during the June 2016 quarter, where de-watering and mine preparations continued.
“Mining Blocks 6 and 8 have been regular sources of large valuable diamonds, producing four 100-ct-plus stones to date, including the record 404 ct Type IIa D-colour gem, which sold for A$22.5-million in February 2016,” the company reported.
Meanwhile, Lucapa announced new management appointments. Ricard Barnes was appointed Lulo mine general manager and Johan van Wyk was appointed finance manager.