PROJECTS AND EXPLORATION •
scoping feasibility study ( refer ASX / JSE release 2 August 2021 ) for the OCP are well advanced , with targeted completion early 2023 .
KIMBERLITE BULK SAMPLE PLANT OPERATIONAL
• Location : Angola
• Phase : Commissioning
• Resource : Diamonds
At the end of September 2022 , Lucapa Diamond Company Limited and its partners Project Lulo Joint Venture , Endiama and Rosas & Petalas announced that the standalone kimberlite bulk sample plant ( KBSP ) had been fully commissioned and the processing of priority kimberlite bulk samples had commenced .
Highlights included :
• 15 kimberlites on priority list for sampling at a rate of approximately two samples every six weeks
• Lulo concession þ Highest USD / carat alluvial ( secondary source ) deposit globally
- In eighth year of commercial diamond mining - 29 + 100 carat diamonds recovered - > 1.800 + 10.8 carat diamonds recovered - Average value per + 10.8 carat diamond is > USD140 000 / stone - Exceptional size and quality of alluvial diamond recoveries points to large high-quality content potential of the primary source kimberlite ( s ) that shed the diamonds
- The frequency of recovery of these large , irregular shaped diamonds indicates short transport distances and points to potential primary source ( s ) being in close proximity þ Advanced kimberlite ( primary source ) exploration program - > 560 geophysical anomalies - > 150 drilled with 124 kimberlites discovered in Cacuilo Valley area by partners - Currently bulk sampling 15 priority kimberlites for diamond content - Eight previously sampled kimberlites returning positive diamond results confirm Cacuilo Valley kimberlite province to be diamondiferous þ Lulo now has three plants processing alluvial gravels and / or kimberlite material
• With the concession having a high anomaly to kimberlite conversion rate , kimberlites will be added to the priority sampling list as concurrent discovery drilling and mineral chemistry analysis continues
Managing Director , Stephen Wetherall commented , “ A tremendous amount of exploration work has been completed by the partners on the unique large stone and high-value Lulo concession over the years and these results point to the strong potential for a special primary source discovery on the Lulo concession . With the commissioning of the kimberlite bulk sample plant completed , the Project Lulo Joint Venture partners can now expedite kimberlite sampling to recover commercial size diamonds and to quickly assess the economic potential of a positive result .”
In a statement , the chairman of the board of ENDIAMA E . P ., Dr Ganga Júnior , said , “ It represents another crucial step by ENDIAMA and its partners in consolidating the development strategy for the diamond industry in Angola , particularly concerning primary deposits . Despite being delayed , we are convinced that this action will generate impactful results .” •
www . africanmining . co . za African Mining • January 2023 • 11