Lucara Diamond Corp. (TSX:LUC) has announced the discovery of a 393.5 carat top white Type IIa gem quality diamond from its Karowe Diamond Mine in Botswana. The company reports that the diamond was sourced from the M/PK(S) unit of the mine’s South Lobe, and recovered via direct ore milling.
“This recent recovery continues to demonstrate the strong and consistent resource performance of the South Lobe”
A 156.2 carat specimen graded as “top white gem quality” and processed during the same production month, was also recovered from material classified as M/PK(S).
2021 has been a particularly productive year for Karowe with the discovery of seven diamonds in excess of 300 carats, including 341 carat and 378 carat top white gem quality specimens recovered in January.
Karowe Diamond Mind
Situated in Botswana and fully commissioned in 2012, the Karowe diamond mine is described by Lucara as a “state-of-the-art” operation, and has become one of the top global producers of large, gem-quality diamonds.
Previous discoveries from Karowe, which means precious stone, include the 1,758 carat Sewelô, the 1,109 carat Lesedi La Rona and the 813 carat Constellation which sold for a record USD$63.1 million to Dubai-based Nemesis International.
Management comments
Lucara Diamond Corp CEO Eira Thomassaid “Lucara is pleased to announce the recovery of the 393 carat Type IIa white from the M/PK(S) unit of the South Lobe, the third +300 carat white gem from the M/PK(S) in 2021. This recent recovery continues to demonstrate the strong and consistent resource performance of the South Lobe. The 393 carat and 156 carat diamonds add to the collection of significant diamond recoveries in 2021, as Lucara looks to ramp up construction activities for the proposed underground expansion at Karowe.”
Lucara Diamond Corp.