VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - April 27, 2009) - Lucara Diamond Corp. (TSX VENTURE:LUC) and partner Motapa Diamonds Inc. (TSX VENTURE:MTP) are pleased to report completion of diamond recovery work on the 100,000 tonne bulk sample program at the Mothae sample project in Lesotho. Processing of 15,390 dry tonnes of sample F1C, together with an audit of recovery tailings from this sample and samples C2C, G1C and E1A was completed in mid-April.
Sample F1C has yielded 1,519 stones for a total of 715.79 carats for a sample grade of 4.65 carats per hundred dry tonnes (cpht). F1C produced 48 stones greater than 2 carats, 13 stones greater than 5 carats and 1 stone greater than 20 carats. The average size of stones recovered from the sample is 0.47 carats per stone and the largest three diamonds recovered are 24.60, 14.39 and 14.24 carats.
Complete results for the bulk sampling program are shown in the following table. These results reflect the recovered grade of kimberlite material sampled and not necessarily an overall grade of the Mothae pipe. The relative volume of each kimberlite domain within the Mothae pipe and the extent to which the domains are represented by their respective samples is poorly constrained and further geologic interpretation will be required to develop a grade model for the pipe.
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Kimberlite Wet Dry # of Total Carats/ Dry
Domain Sample Tonnes Tonnes Stones Carats Stone Grade
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A A1A 5,341 4,565 372 129.83 0.35 2.84
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Subtotal 5,341 4,565 372 129.83 0.35 2.84
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C C1A 2,035 1,837 90 27.86 0.31 1.52
C2A 5,023 4,164 310 117.11 0.38 2.81
C2B 1,936 1,617 211 75.47 0.36 4.67
C2C 9,965 8,192 681 380.85 0.56 4.67
C3A 9,569 7,781 750 301.22 0.40 3.87
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Subtotal 28,529 23,592 2,042 902.51 0.44 3.83
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E E1A 5,363 4,338 255 99.61 0.39 2.30
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Subtotal 5,363 4,338 255 99.61 0.39 2.30
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F F1 7,470 6,274 1,162 444.26 0.38 7.08
F1C 18,753 15,390 1,519 715.79 0.47 4.65
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Subtotal 26,223 21,664 2,681 1,160.05 0.43 5.35
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G G1 7,341 6,199 1,007 408.07 0.41 6.58
G1C 27,162 21,970 2,529 1,166.97 0.46 5.31
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Subtotal 34,503 28,169 3,536 1,575.04 0.45 5.59
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ALL SAMPLES 99,959 82,328 8,886 3,867.04 0.44 4.70
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Diamonds recovered from the bulk sample include 217 stones greater than 2 carats, 63 stones greater than 5 carats, 13 stones greater that 10 carats, and 5 stones greater than 20 carats. The five largest diamonds weigh 24.60, 23.39, 22.71, 22.62 and 20.04 carats.
All samples were processed through a dense media separation (DMS) plant designed to recover diamonds in various size fractions ranging from 2 mm to 18 mm. Heavy mineral concentrate produced by the DMS plant was processed over a continuous grease belt for primary diamond recovery, with the exception of the very coarse fraction (+16 mm) which was hand sorted in a secure glove box. All grease belt tailings material was processed through an EVE X-ray diamond recovery unit.
A formal valuation of recovered diamonds is planned for June.
Delineation Drilling Results:
The results of a fifteen hole, 2,452 meter core drilling program completed in early February have been used as a basis for geological modeling of the Mothae kimberlite. Results of this work, in combination with kimberlite bulk density estimates derived from drill core measurements, provide a global kimberlite tonnage estimate to a depth of 200 meters below the base of overburden of 38.62 million tonnes. Of this tonnage, the southern lobe of the Mothae pipe, which shows the greatest potential in terms of diamond grade, contains an estimated 23.56 million tonnes. At this stage of the evaluation, these tonnage figures indicate the geologic potential of the Mothae kimberlite and are not intended to imply a resource tonnage.
Modeled tonnage and diamond grade data will be used in conjunction with diamond value information and a recently completed conceptual mining study to support the submission of a mining license application to the Lesotho Government.
The sampling program is being carried out under the supervision of Dr. Tom Nowicki of Mineral Services Canada, a Qualified Person in terms of NI43-101.
On Behalf of the Board,
Lukas H. Lundin, President
Forward-looking statements: This press release contains statements about expected or anticipated future events and financial results that are forward-looking in nature and, as a result, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, such as general economic, market and business conditions, the regulatory process and actions, technical issues, new legislation, competitive and general economic factors and conditions, the uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans, the occurrence of unexpected events and management's capacity to execute and implement its future plans. Actual results may differ materially from those projected by management.