PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Lucapa Diamonds has doubled its alluvial mining and throughput rate at the Lulo project, in Angola, to treat 20 000 bulk cubic metres a month.
The company reported on Wednesday that the sourcing of additional earthmoving equipment and the development of support infrastructure and road networks would allow the production rate to be maintained during the upcoming wet season.
Modifications were also made to the 150 t/h diamond processing and recovery plants.
The new earthmoving and mining equipment would also allow the miner to operate its alluvial diamond mining operations in parallel with its kimberlite exploration programme, at blocks immediately adjacent to the Mining Block 8 alluvial diamond field.
Earlier this week, Lucapa announced the sale of its sixth parcel of diamonds from Lulo, generating revenues of A$5.1-million. The 1 621 ct parcel achieved an average sales price of A$3 132/ct, despite softening conditions in the international diamond market.