The 941 carat diamond parcel has been exported to Antwerp with plans to commence sale in the coming days after cleaning, assorting and valuation.

It includes gem diamonds of 9.2, 5.5, 5.1, 4.7 and 4.3 carats in size.

Stellar Diamonds CEO Karl Smithson said: "This first diamond export from Baoulé is a milestone for the company ahead of realising our first cash-flow which is expected when the goods are sold in the near future.

"Trial mine production is progressing very well and we have now reached our target processing capacity that at existing grades could yield monthly production of 2,000 carats per month if maintained."

The Baoulé kimberlite pipe is undergoing trial mining from the eastern lobe over an area of approximately 200m x 100m.

The company has to date produced 1,206 carat with an average grade of 15 carats per hundred tons.