Lucapa Diamond has recovered a 176-carat Type IIa gem diamond from its 40%-owned Lulo Alluvial Mine in Angola.
This is the fifth +100-carat diamond unearthed at the mine this year.
It said the 176-carat diamond is also the 45th +100-carat diamond to be recovered from Lulo and the eighth largest since alluvial operations commenced in 2015.
“The recovery of this 176-carat diamond is yet more confirmation of the massive potential of the kimberlite province, where we are focusing our exploration efforts to find the source(s) of these magnificent gems,” said Lucapa chief executive Nick Selby.
“The diamond has not travelled far as it still displays sharp, angular edges.”
The mining company said the continual recovery of large and high-value diamonds has been a major source of revenue for Lulo over the years, as well as being a major informant of the kimberlite exploration programme.
Lucapa continues to search for the source of these large gems through the kimberlite exploration programme, which is currently bulk sampling kimberlites near the mining blocks where the 176-carat diamond was recovered.
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished