A massive uncut diamond was discovered in Botswana, weighing an astounding 2,492 carats. The find occurred at a mine operated by the Canadian company Lucara Diamond. This enormous gem is now recognized as the second-largest diamond ever found, surpassed only by the legendary 3,106-carat Cullinan diamond unearthed in South Africa in 1905. The Cullinan diamond was later cut into nine significant stones, some of which now adorn the British Crown Jewels.
Karowe Mine Uncovers Botswana’s Largest Diamond Yet
The diamond was discovered at the Karowe mine, situated around 500 kilometres (300 miles) to the north of Gaborone, the capital of Botswana. According to government officials, this amazing discovery is the biggest diamond ever found in the southern African country. The Karowe mine has been a goldmine, being the location of Botswana’s biggest diamond find before, a 1,758-carat gem discovered in 2019. This latest find exceeds the previous record, further enhancing Botswana’s standing as a top producer of exceptional diamonds.
Botswana is acknowledged as a top diamond producer globally, accounting for about 20% of worldwide diamond output. The Karowe mine’s management company, Lucara from Canada, announced the incredible find of a diamond, labelling it as one of the biggest rough stones ever discovered. The discovery of this 2,492-carat gem is a major milestone for Lucara and further demonstrates Botswana’s position as a key player in the global diamond market.
Innovative X-Ray Technology Helps Preserve Record-Breaking Diamond
According to company representative William Lamb, Lucara’s innovative Mega Diamond Recovery (MDR) X-ray technology was crucial in uncovering this exceptional diamond. This state-of-the-art technology, introduced in 2017, was created to identify and safeguard precious, sizable diamonds while they are being mined, ensuring they are not harmed or broken when the ore is crushed. Although there is a lot of anticipation about the finding, the company has not shared specific information about the gem’s quality or its market value, leaving the industry eagerly waiting for more details.
Major Diamond Sales and New Legislation Shape Botswana’s Mining Future
In 2019, a 1,758-carat diamond found at the Karowe mine was purchased by Louis Vuitton, but the exact financial terms were not revealed. In the same mine, a noteworthy finding was a 1,109-carat diamond found in 2016. In 2017, Laurence Graff, the head of Graff Diamonds, purchased this remarkable gem for $53 million (£39.5 million). Lucara fully owns the Karowe mine, where these extraordinary discoveries took place. At the same time, Botswana’s government is proposing a new regulation that mandates mining companies to offer a 24% ownership to local businesses in case the government does not opt to invest. This suggested rule, as disclosed by Reuters last month, highlights Botswana’s push to boost local involvement in the nation’s profitable diamond sector.
