Lucara Recovers 4 Large Diamonds from First Botswana Production

(IDEX Online News) – Lucara Diamond recovered more than 5,300 carats of diamonds in the first batch of ore processed at the Karowe Mine in Botswana.

"The quantity and grade of diamonds recovered during the very first ore run has been outstanding and reinforces our high expectations for this new state-of-the-art mine," the miner said in a release.

The diamonds have been recovered from the north lobe of the deposit, which has an estimated grade of more than 32 carats per hundred tonnes (cpht) which is double the average deposit grade. 

Lucara recovered several large diamonds, including four larger than 10.8 carats. The three largest stones recovered are 25.88 carats, 16.55 carats and 14.56 carats.

"The diamonds recovered show some very strong crystal shapes which we look forward to providing to the market in June," said William Lamb, president and CEO of Lucara.

Lucara intends to have its first sale of diamonds recovered from the Karowe Mine during the first two weeks of June.