Commissioning of new diamond mine
Lucapa Diamond Company announces the commissioning of the 1.1Mtpa treatment plant has commenced at the high-quality Mothae kimberlite diamond mine in Lesotho. First commercial diamond recoveries are expected from the Mothae mine in early November 2018, complementing production from the high-quality Lulo alluvial diamond mine operated by Lucapa in Angola.
Production from the 1.1Mtpa Mothae treatment plant, which incorporates two XRT diamond recovery circuits, will be ramped up to its nameplate capacity throughout the December Quarter. Selection of Mothae bulk sampling diamonds, including Specials of up to 89 carats, from the 2,500 carat parcel exported to Antwerp in the September 2018.
More than 4,100 carats of diamonds have been recovered from the bulk sampling of areas within the Mothae kimberlite pipe which had not previously been tested or had been inadequately tested during the previous trial mining phase 2. These included Specials of up to 89 carats.
