Paragon Diamonds has recovered five large diamonds between 2.00 carats and 6.30 carats from the first bulk sampling programme at its 84 percent-owned Lemphane kimberlite project, in Lesotho.
"Recovering five significant diamonds at such an early stage from such a relatively small sample is a positive start for the Lemphane project," Paragon chairperson Francesco Scolaro said in a statement.
“The proximity to Mothae and Letšeng, known for being two of the world's most important sources of large diamond gemstones, would indicate that we are certainly in the right place.”
The miner said that in addition to a high average stone size, the diamond population was heavily skewed towards the larger diamond sizes, with 62 percent of the total carats being present in diamonds of one carat or larger, and 39 percent of the total carats being present in diamonds of two carats or larger.
It said that a total of 46.79 carats in 102 diamonds were recovered, at a grade of 1.96 carats per hundred tonnes and at an average stone size of 0.46 ct.
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished
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