The Lucapa Diamond Company is reporting that a record monthly treatment rate has led its Lulo diamond mine in Angola “to exceed the record 2017 annual production target”.
During October, 49 large Special diamonds (diamonds weighing more than 10.8 carats) were produced in the mine – the second highest monthly total on record. All these large diamonds were unearthed in Mining Blocks 8 and 6. These specials, Lucapa said in a statement, “contributed to a 22.3% increase in diamond production for the month of October to 2,905 carats. Special diamond recoveries have continued into November, including the exceptional 129.5 carat and 78.6 carat Type IIa D-colour gems”.
Late in October, Lucapa reported revenues of $8.8 million in the third quarter of the year – a 14% drop in sales year-on-year. Lucapa said the stones were sold at an average price per carat of $1,676. Year to date, gross sales revenues total $24.3 million at an average price per carat of $1,640.
