Lucara Diamond has discovered a 2,492-carat diamond at its Karowe Mine in Botswana, marking it as the second-largest diamond in history. The diamond was located using advanced X-ray technology. Although it has not been officially valued, reports suggest it could exceed USD 40 million. This discovery highlights the potential of the Karowe mine, which has produced several significant diamonds in the past.
A remarkable discovery has been made at the Karowe Diamond Mine in Botswana, owned by Canadian firm Lucara Diamond. The find is a 2,492-carat diamond, making it the second-largest in the world. The largest diamond ever discovered is the 3,106-carat Cullinan Diamond, found in South Africa in 1905 and now part of the British Crown Jewels.
The diamond was discovered using advanced X-ray technology, specifically Mega Diamond Recovery (MDR) X-ray Transmission (XRT), which was implemented in 2017 to help identify and recover large, high-value diamonds. While Lucara has not officially valued the diamond, reports suggest it may exceed USD 40 million.
William Lamb, President and CEO of Lucara, expressed excitement over this significant find, stating, “This find not only showcases the remarkable potential of our Karowe Mine, but also upholds our strategic investment in cutting-edge X-ray Transmission technology.” Images of the diamond have been shared, featuring Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi with the remarkable stone in his office in Gaborone.
Botswana is a leading diamond producer, contributing to 20 percent of the global production. The diamond industry generates approximately 30 percent of the country’s GDP and 80 percent of its exports. Previous notable finds from the same mine include the 1,758-carat Sewelô diamond in 2019 and the 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona diamond in 2015, illustrating the mine’s history of unearthing valuable gems.
The Sewelô diamond was acquired by Louis Vuitton in 2020 for an undisclosed amount, while the Lesedi La Rona diamond fetched USD 53 million at auction by Graff Diamonds in 2017, showcasing the lucrative nature of Botswana’s diamond sector.
The recent discovery of a 2,492-carat diamond at Botswana’s Karowe Diamond Mine underscores the mine’s significant potential and the effectiveness of Lucara Diamond’s investment in innovative X-ray technology. With Botswana’s status as a major diamond producer, this find amplifies its role in the global diamond market. Previous significant diamonds from this mine further illustrate its importance to the country’s economy and wealth.
Original Source: www.business-standard.com
