JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Trial mining at Aim-listed Stellar Diamonds’ 5 ha Baoulé kimberlite pipe, in Guinea, has yielded 8 043 ct, to date, at an average grade of 12.7 carats per hundred tons.
The miner noted that the target for the 75%-owned pipe remained the recovery of three-million carats, based on the continued recovery of high-quality gems of up to 12 ct and the recent recovery of a 55 ct diamond that confirmed the presence of large stones.
Stellar CE Karl Smithson said the company would carefully examine the 55 ct stone, which appeared to have a ‘boart’ exterior and a potentially better-quality diamond on the interior.
The company’s aim to mine and process 100 000 t of kimberlite during trial mining was now 63% complete and was expected to be completed by the third quarter.
Revenue from Baoulé diamond sales have, to date, reached $700 644 from 5 173 ct.