Lucara Diamond Corp. has got off to a fine start in 2019 with the recovery of a 127 carat, top white gem diamond, from its 100% owned Karowe Diamond mine in Botswana. The mine has yielded 129 diamonds larger than 100 carats since operations commenced in 2012.

The company said that this year it will be largely focusing on the high value south lobe of the mine, after having recovered a record number of Specials (diamonds > 10.8 cts) last year.

In 2018, Karowe yielded 33 diamonds larger than 100 carats, five of which were over 300 carats. That took the total number of diamonds above 300 carats recovered since 2012 to 12.

In addition, Lucara has sold 180 diamonds in excess of $1 million each and ten diamonds have sold for sums in excess of $10 million each.

Eira Thomas, CEO commented: "The recovery of this latest, high value, top white 127 carat diamond attests to the remarkable nature of the Karowe orebody, which has consistently delivered large, high value diamonds throughout its history. 2018 was a banner year, having recovered a record number of Specials (diamonds >10.8 carats in size) and in 2019, mining will be largely focused on the high value south lobe, including contributions from the newly refined EMPKS unit which is now understood to be the source of both the historic 1109 carat Lesedi la Rona and the 813 carat Constellation, which sold for a record US$63.1 million. The Karowe Diamond mine currently boasts open pit reserves of 2.6 million carats extending out to 2026 and is in the process of completing a feasibility study that could expand mining underground to 2036 and beyond."

Pic caption: The 127 carat diamond recovered from the Karowe mine

Pic courtesy: Lucara Diamond Corp.