Clarifying that though, as a policy, it only released quarterly formal diamond production updates, Lucapa Diamond Company Limited indicated that an unscheduled production and exploration update was called for; which it has released today.

Remarking that the record production figures for July were “exceptional and significantly ahead of internal forecasts and market guidance,” the Company went on to enumerate the various points which made it so.

Foremost amongst these is the fact that in the month of July alone, the Company recovered a record 59 special diamonds – more than the figure of the total 53 such diamonds recovered in the first half of 2016.

The total diamonds recovered at 3,164 carats for the month translates to another record – a daily recovery of 448 carats per day – which surpassed other high points, including the day on which the record 404 ct Lulo diamond was recovered.

Other noteworthy aspects include a record monthly plant throughput level of 21,114 bcm; and a record monthly diamond grade of 15 cts per 100 cubic metres.

The average stone size for July pegged at an exceptional 2.0 cts per stone was up from 1.3 cts in the June half year.

Another parcel of Lulo diamonds was sold in July 2016. The 1,985 ct parcel was sold for a gross of US$ 1.8 million achieving an average price of US$ 905 per ct.

Lucapa said that the diamonds sold were from production up to July 8, 2016 and that it currently holds an inventory of 2,440 cts from the record July production, including 50 special diamonds weighing 1,057 cts.

The next sale of Lulo diamonds has been scheduled for August 2016.

Pic Caption: Selection of Lulo diamonds from July production including (in foreground) 66 ct, 49 ct and 31 ct stones