Lucara recovers 470 carat diamond from the Karowe Mine in Botswana
by CM Staff
The diamond was recovered from direct milling of ore sourced from the EM/PK(S) unit of the South Lobe
470 carat diamond recovered from the Karowe Mine in Botswana (CNW Group/Lucara Diamond Corp.)
VANCOUVER, BC — Lucara Diamond Corp. has announced the recovery of a 470 carat top light brown clivage diamond from its 100% owned Karowe Diamond Mine located in Botswana. The diamond, measuring 49x42x26mm, was recovered from direct milling of ore sourced from the EM/PK(S) unit of the South Lobe.
The 470 carat recovery forms a notable contribution to a series of top quality gem and clivage quality diamond recoveries during a recent production run, including an additional 5 diamonds greater than 100 carats (265ct, 183ct, 161ct, 116ct, 106ct) and 13 diamonds between 50 and 100 carats in weight. The May production run, dominated by EM/PK(S) ore, produced diamonds greater than 10.8 carat in weight accounting for 12.7% weight percent of total production, exceeding resource expectations.
The 470 carat diamond was recovered in the Coarse XRT circuit and represents the third +300 carat diamond recovered to date in 2021. Year to date, Karowe has produced 10 diamonds greater than 100 carats including 6 diamonds greater than 200 carats, including the 341 carat and 378 carat top white diamonds recovered in January 2021.
“The benefits of a South Lobe dominated mine-plan continue to be realized in 2021 and underpins our confidence in the ever-improving Karowe resource as we mine deeper in the open pit to 2026 and move into underground mining out to at least 2040,” Eira Thomas, CEO, said in a prepared statement. “Both main rock types from the South Lobe continue to deliver large, high value diamonds, including 6 diamonds greater than 200 carats in the first five months of this year alone. Our operations remain safe, stable and strong, maintaining all COVID-19 protocols.”
