Name and Location
Lulo diamond concession, Lunda Norte, Angola.
Project Description
The Lulo project is located on the eastern margin of the Cuango river catchment in north-eastern Angola. The Cuango river alluvial diamond fields are the largest in Angola. The Cacuilo and Lulo rivers form part of the Cuango catchment and the location of the known alluvial gravels is adjacent to the known kimberlite pipe cluster on the Lulo diamond concession. An alluvial sampling programme, which will establish the diamond grade and characteristics of the major tributaries feeding into the Cacuilo river, is expected to collect between 500 t and 1 000 t of samples at 12 localities within and adjacent to the kimberlite field.
Value
The cost of the project has not been disclosed.
Duration
The evaluation programme on 40 nominated representative kimberlite pipes is expected to last about four months.
The exploration programme has been designed to allow for bulk sampling, followed by trial mining and diamond production by the end of 2010.
Client
The concession is owned by Endiama (51%), Lonrho Mining (39%) and the local people (10%).
Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.
Latest Developments
The dense-media separation plant will be commissioned during May and June 2010, after which trial mining of alluvial granules will start. Sampling of the first pipe at the project is expected to be under way by July 2010.
On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.
Contact Details for Project Information
Endiama, tel +244 2 333018, +244 2 337276 or +244 332718; or fax +244 2 337216 or +244 2 332718.
Lonrho Mining, David Lenigas or Geoffrey White, tel +44 207 016 5105 or fax +44 207 016 5109.