Lucapa Diamond Company and the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho have provided an update on diamond recoveries from the ongoing bulk sampling program at the Mothae diamond mine in Lesotho.
Image: Selection of Mothae diamonds (pre acid washing) recovered from the ongoing bulk sampling program including yellows, whites and light pinks. Photo courtesy of Lucapa Diamond Company Limited.
The latest Special recoveries (individual diamonds >10.8 carats) include a 28 carat stone from the North zone of the Mothae kimberlite pipe. This follows the recovery of other Specials including an 89 carat yellow from the South-East zone, a 25 carat yellow from the Neck zone and a 12 carat white from the North zone.
Significantly, recent recoveries from the North zone also include two light pink diamonds. These recoveries, together with the recovery of a 3 carat pink diamond in the historic bulk sampling conducted in 2008-2012, are proof that Mothae also hosts pink diamonds.
The ongoing bulk sampling program is designed to expand the published +1 million carat JORC resource by testing areas of the Mothae kimberlite pipe which are not included in the resource or which require further sampling to enhance the resource.
This bulk sampling program is being conducted in parallel with construction of the new 150 tonne per hour commercial diamond plant, which continues on schedule for H2 2018 commissioning.
The Mothae kimberlite pipe is a high-quality diamond resource located within 5km of Letšeng, the highest US$ per carat kimberlite diamond mine in the world. Mothae production will complement the high-value production from Lucapa’s other producing mine, the Lulo mine in Angola (Lucapa 40% and operator).
Source: Company Press Release