Mountain Province Sale Yields $26M

RAPAPORT... Mountain Province's sales increased at its April rough-diamondtender as a higher carat volume outweighed a weaker average price. The miner sold 451,000 carats of rough from its Gahcho Ku?(C)mine for $26.4 million at an average of $59 per carat, it reported in astatement last week. While total sales rose from $25.1 million in March, theaverage price was the lowest of the year. The February tender fetched $78 percarat, while the March sale achieved $142 per carat, as the company broughtforward the sale of more expensive stones, known as fancies and specials, thatit would otherwise have offered in April. "Exceeding our expectations, [the results] indicate apositive year-on-year firming trend within diamond markets generally," said CEODavid Whittle.