Lucara Diamond Corp., a Canadian mining company, has announced the discovery of an extraordinary 2,492-carat diamond from its Karowe Diamond Mine in north-central Botswana. This colossal gem, unearthed on 22 August 2024, stands as the largest diamond ever recovered in Botswana and the second largest globally.
The significance of this discovery cannot be overstated, particularly for Botswana’s burgeoning diamond industry. The Karowe Mine has consistently yielded exceptional diamonds, with the latest find further cementing its reputation as one of the world’s most prolific sources of large gem-quality diamonds. This remarkable 2,492-carat stone follows the mine’s previous discoveries of a 1,758-carat diamond in 2019 and a 1,109-carat diamond in 2015.
Lucara’s president and chief executive officer, William Lamb, expressed the company’s delight at this monumental discovery. “We are ecstatic about the recovery of this extraordinary 2,492-carat diamond. This find not only showcases the remarkable potential of our Karowe Mine but also upholds our strategic investment in cutting-edge XRT technology,” Lamb stated in a press release.
The Karowe Mine, renowned for its consistent production of large diamonds, utilises state-of-the-art X-Ray Transmission (XRT) technology. This technology plays a pivotal role in the identification and recovery of large diamonds, setting Lucara apart from other diamond producers.
Botswana’s President, Mokgweetsi Masisi, was present to inspect the diamond in Gaborone. His presence underscores the significance of the find not just for Lucara, but for Botswana’s economy and its global standing as a leading diamond producer. The discovery is anticipated to contribute significantly to Botswana’s economic growth, given the diamond industry’s substantial role in the nation’s GDP.
As the global diamond market continues to evolve, the unveiling of this 2,492-carat diamond is poised to attract considerable interest from collectors, investors, and the broader gemological community. Lucara Diamond Corp is yet to reveal its plans for the diamond, including whether it will be sold as a rough stone or cut into smaller gems.
This find reinforces the pivotal role of Botswana in the global diamond industry and the significance of advanced mining technologies in unearthing the Earth’s most precious treasures.
