Lucapa Recovers Type IIa Diamonds at Lulo

Lucapa Diamond Company recovered six type IIa stones along wtih six  other gem-quality diamonds from preliminary surface sampling at its Lulo diamond concession in Angola.

The company noted that the diamonds were recovered from four separate kimberlite pipes. Five of the type IIa diamonds recovered weighed a total of 2.30 carats and ranged in size from 1.05 carats to 0.15 carats. Type IIa diamonds are rare and account for less than 1 percent of global production.

Miles Kennedy, the managing director of Lucapa, concluded  that since kimberlite pipes at the Lulo concession host type IIa diamonds, this was another significant milestone for Lucapa.

“The fact we have now identified several diamond bearing kimberlite pipes proximal to where we have found large alluvial diamonds is of great significance as we are really only scratching the surface of these pipes at this time,” he said.

Kennedy explained that the independent confirmation that 50 percent of the diamonds recovered are type IIa diamonds also adds early credence that these pipes could be the source of the alluvial diamonds at Lulo.