Lucura Q1 sales impressive
Lucara Diamond Corporation has recorded an impressive and improved performance with 0.76 million tonnes ore in its Karowe mine during the first quarter of 2019 and the first sales of the year exceeded US$ 47 million. The company also recovered an unbroken 1,758 carat diamond which is larger than the 1.109 world’s second largest diamond, Lesedi La Rona, which was recovered from Karowe in 2015. During the period the company sold several diamonds larger than 10.8 carats which resulted in quarterly sales revenue of $48.7 million compared to $25.4 million in the same period last year.Lucara President and Chief Executive Officer, Eira Thomas, highlighted that they expect the total stones mined in 2019 to be between 8.5 and 11.8million tonnes. “While guidance is unchanged, the average strip ratio is now expected to be lower than originally anticipated due to a higher percentage of ore mined during the first quarter of 2019,” she said. The operating cost for three -months period was 30.52 per tonne, a decrease from $39.97 per tonne in the first quarter of 2018. Thomas explained that operating cash cost per tonne processed was positively impacted by a reduction in waste mined and an increase in tonnes processed during the first quarter. “Lucara’s focus on operational excellence has delivered another strong quarter, having met guidance with respect to ore mined and processed as well as carats produced. Costs were significantly down quarter over quarter in line with expectations,” said Thomas. She pointed out that in 2019 the company forecasts revenue between $170 million and $200 million, consistent with the forecast for 2018. In 2019, diamonds recovered are expected to be between 300 000 carats and 330 000 carats and diamonds sold are expected to be between 300 000 and 320 000 carats. The company has approved a budget of $14.8 million evaluating the potential for an underground mining operation at Karowe. “In 2019 efforts will focus on follow up geotechnical and hydro geological drilling and related studies. Exploration expenditures are estimated to be up to $3.0 million”.