The 208 carat, Type IIa diamond is also the second 100-carat-plus stone found in October at the Angola mine.

Hancock Prospecting's stake in Azure is just short of the 20% level that would require a mandatory buyout offer.

The Australian billionaire, who recently thwarted Albemarle’s buyout of Liontown, is said to be evaluating ways to hinder SQM's bid.

The miner is confident about the positive effects that supply curbs by major producers and India's two-month import moratorium will have on the market.

The Chilean lithium giant will ultimately increase its interest to 40% by spending $1.9 million in exploration.