Australian firm digs up top diamond
The largest diamond ever found by an Australian company has been uncovered at Lucapa’s Lulo Mine.
The 404.2 carat whopper was found at Lucapa’s Mining Block 8 alluvial project at the mine in Angola.
The Type IIa D-colour gem is more than double the weight of the previous record holder, which weighed 133.4 carats.
It is the 27th largest single diamond ever found.
It is also the largest diamond ever found in Angola, smashing the previous record holder known as the Angolan Star – which weighed just 217.4 carats.
It continues an exemplary run for Mining Block 8, which has already uncovered over 60 large special diamonds since operations began in August last year.
“We have always emphasised the very special nature of the Lulo diamond field and this recovery – together with the 100 carat-plus diamonds recovered this year alone – is further evidence of that,” Lucapa CEO Stephen Wetherall said.
“And while we continue mining these exceptional alluvial gems from Mining Block 6 and 8 at Lulo, we are also continuing to advance our systematic exploration program to find the kimberlite source of these diamonds.”