This huge white diamond was uncovered in Angola.
Australian mining company finds huge diamond
Lonrho Mining has uncovered a 131.5-carat gem quality white diamond at its Angolan mine, along with a 38.3-carat diamond.
The Perth-based company began excavating at the Lulo Concession in Angola two years ago and has taken the discovery of the large diamonds as a promising sign for diamond wealth in the region.
Lonrho managing director Miles Kennedy said the find hinted that the most abundant diamond reserves would be near.
“The recovery of such a spectacular 131.5-carat diamond in particular highlights both the prospectivity of the diamondiferous gravels in the Cacuilo River valley and, more significantly, the kimberlite pipe that has shed this stone,” Kennedy said. “Given the incredible size of this diamond, there is little doubt the kimberlite source is very close by.”
A selection of diamonds uncovered at the Lulo Concession.
Lonrho, formerly Nare Diamonds, is working with the Angolan government-owned Endiama on the Lulo project.
The finds come as Lonrho prepares for a kimberlite drilling phase, which involves drill testing of 61 kimberlite targets that were singled out by Australian diamond geologist Manfred Marx.
The diamonds are yet to be valued. The photos displayed in this story were taken prior to acid washing, which removes surface impurities.
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