Largest Diamond in Botswana’s History Discovered at Karowe Mine

• A 2,492-carat diamond, the largest in Botswana’s history, was discovered at Karowe mine.
• The diamond is the second-largest ever found globally, following the Cullinan diamond.
• Lucara Diamond, a Canadian company, made the discovery using advanced X-ray technology.
• Botswana accounts for approximately 20% of the world’s diamond production.
• The diamond’s value and gem quality have yet to be disclosed.

August 22, 2024 (FFN) – A massive 2,492-carat diamond has been discovered at the Karowe mine in Botswana, marking the second-largest diamond ever found. The diamond, unearthed by Lucara Diamond, a Canadian mining company, is the largest discovery since the famed 3,106-carat Cullinan diamond, found in South Africa in 1905. The Cullinan diamond was later cut into nine stones, many of which are part of the British Crown Jewels.

Located about 500 kilometers north of Botswana’s capital, Gaborone, the Karowe mine has been the site of several significant discoveries, including the previous largest diamond found in Botswana—a 1,758-carat stone uncovered in 2019. Botswana remains one of the world’s top diamond producers, accounting for approximately 20% of global diamond production.

Lucara Diamond’s CEO, William Lamb, expressed his excitement about the discovery, describing it as “one of the largest rough diamonds ever unearthed.” The company used its Mega Diamond Recovery X-ray technology to detect and preserve the diamond, ensuring it remained intact during the extraction process. This technology, in use since 2017, helps prevent high-value diamonds from being damaged during ore-crushing.

While details regarding the diamond’s quality and value have not yet been disclosed, the discovery has already attracted significant attention. The 1,758-carat diamond found in 2019 was purchased by French luxury brand Louis Vuitton for an undisclosed amount, and a 1,109-carat diamond discovered at the same mine in 2016 was sold to London jeweler Laurence Graff for $53 million in 2017.

Lucara Diamond has full ownership of the Karowe mine, where this latest discovery was made. In related news, Botswana’s government has proposed legislation that would require mining companies to sell a 24% stake to local firms if the government opts not to take a shareholder position.

Key Terms: Botswana, Lucara Diamond, Karowe mine, Diamond discovery, Cullinan diamond. The information in this report is based on an article from BBC News, published on August 22, 2024