RAPAPORT... Paragon Diamonds recovered five large diamonds from its bulk sampling at the Lemphane kimberlite in Lesotho. In all, the company's sample recovered 102 diamonds, five of which were larger than 2 carats, and the program totaled 46.79 carats. The largest rough diamond recovered was 6.30 carats. The sample offered a preliminary grade of 1.96 carats per hundred tonnes (cpht).
Paragon Diamonds' managing director, Stephen Grimmer, stated, ''The recovery of a number of relatively large diamonds from the initial small sample has very positive indications for the program at Lemphane. We have every confidence we will be recovering greater numbers and larger diamonds in the near future. With a potentially coarse diamond size distribution established, completion of the sampling should help secure Lemphane’s position as a world-class Lesotho kimberlite.”
Francesco Scolaro, the company's president, added, ''Recovering five significant diamonds at such an early stage from such a relatively small sample is a very positive start for the Lemphane project. The proximity to Mothae and Letšeng, known for being two of the world's most important sources of large diamond gemstones, would indicate we are certainly in the right place.''