Mountain Province Diamonds results of ninth diamond sale
Aerial view of the Gahcho Diamond Mine, located in Canada's Northwest Territories. — Photo courtesy Mountain Province Diamonds Inc.
Nov. 22, 2017 /CNW/ - Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. ("Mountain Province", the "Company") (TSX and NASDAQ: MPVD) today announces the results of its recently completed ninth diamond sale.
Pricing in this ninth sale was stable to firm, with prices across the full assortment profile generally averaging about 2% higher than the eighth sale. The increase in average price realization is primarily a result of an improved quality distribution in the larger stone sizes and increased demand for lower value assortments.
Said Reid Mackie, the Company's Vice President Diamond Marketing, "Despite caution reported in the rough markets after the return from Indian and Jewish holidays, customer participation metrics at our ninth sale were strong with over 150 companies attending the tender, average bids per lot reaching our highest level to date at 11.9, and return customers purchasing 88% by value. This, combined with firming of price-points in our lower qualities and sizes, demonstrates the ability of our tender process to harness positive outlook in the market following encouraging news from the Asian and US retail markets."
Said David Whittle, the Company's Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, "I am pleased to report that Gahcho Kué mine operations is continuing its solid track record, not only in terms of plant performance but with our highest monthly recovered grade to date. This result is a testament to the quality of the mine operating team, which along with the consistent performance of our marketing group is a driving factor behind the strong operating margins we are generating."
Mountain Province Diamonds is a 49% participant with De Beers Canada in the Gahcho Kué diamond mine located in Canada's Northwest Territories. Gahcho Kué is the world's largest new diamond mine, consisting of a cluster of four diamondiferous kimberlites, three of which are being developed and mined under the initial 12 year mine plan.
Qualified Person
This news release has been prepared under the supervision of Carl G. Verley, P.Geo., who serves as the qualified person under National Instrument 43-101.
