Petra says recovers diamonds in Angola

JOHANNESBURG – Petra Diamonds Limited said yesterday it had recovered a significant number of gem quality diamonds from the Alto Cuilo project in northeastern Angola.

It said it had processed an initial 40-tonne sample and that from it, 23 macro diamonds greater than 1mm were recovered, giving a total weight of 18,7 carats. “This included a white gem quality octahedron stone of 9,61 carats,” it said in a statement.Angola – which is also rich in oil – is keen to up its diamond production as it emerges from decades of savage civil war which have left its economy and infrastructure in tatters.”The diamonds recovered are mainly white in colour and of high quality,” Petra Diamonds said.The project is being partnered with Angolan state-run diamond firm Endiama and Moyoweno, a local company.Petra Diamonds has also been in a strategic partnership with BHP Billiton on the project and is expected to announce a more formal relationship or joint venture with the global mining giant sometime soon.A Dense Media Separation (DMS) plant – used for processing bulk samples of diamonds – is expected to be commissioned in October.-Nampa-Reuters”This included a white gem quality octahedron stone of 9,61 carats,” it said in a statement.Angola – which is also rich in oil – is keen to up its diamond production as it emerges from decades of savage civil war which have left its economy and infrastructure in tatters.”The diamonds recovered are mainly white in colour and of high quality,” Petra Diamonds said.The project is being partnered with Angolan state-run diamond firm Endiama and Moyoweno, a local company.Petra Diamonds has also been in a strategic partnership with BHP Billiton on the project and is expected to announce a more formal relationship or joint venture with the global mining giant sometime soon.A Dense Media Separation (DMS) plant – used for processing bulk samples of diamonds – is expected to be commissioned in October.-Nampa-Reuters