Lucapa, the Australian mining company, has recently announced the recovery of a remarkable 203-carat diamond from its Lulo alluvial mine situated in Angola. This notable find marks the fifth largest diamond discovered at the site since the commencement of commercial mining operations in January 2015, adding to the impressive tally of over forty-three diamonds exceeding 100 carats.
The largest diamond ever found at Lulo was a spectacular 404-carat Type IIa gem, uncovered back in February 2016. The latest discovery, also a Type IIa diamond, was retrieved during the processing of run-of-mine stockpiled ore, further solidifying Lulo’s reputation for yielding high-value alluvial diamonds commanding top prices per carat globally.
This recent feat comes on the heels of Lucapa’s consecutive discoveries just six weeks ago, with a 162-carat and a 116-carat diamond unearthed on successive days. In November of the previous year, Lucapa had also celebrated the recovery of a 235-carat and a 208-carat diamond, underscoring the mine’s consistent output of significant gemstones.
Additionally, Lucapa revealed updated estimates indicating a substantially larger diamond reserve at Lulo than previously estimated. External consultants from South Africa have classified the inferred alluvial diamond resource, as per JORC (Joint Ore Reserves Committee) standards, increasing it by 48% to an impressive 228,000 carats. At the projected extraction rates, this expanded resource volume is estimated to be equivalent to eight years’ worth of production, promising continued success for Lucapa’s operations at Lulo.
