2,492-Carat Diamond Uncovered in Botswana: Second Largest Ever Found

A 2,492-carat diamond has been discovered in Botswana, believed to be the second largest ever found. Unearthed by Lucara Diamond Corp at the Karowe mine, it was identified using advanced technology. This finding follows the Lesedi La Rona and demonstrates Botswana’s critical role in diamond production. The diamond will be presented to President Mokgweetsi Masisi.

A colossal 2,492-carat rough diamond, claimed to be the world’s second largest ever found, has been unearthed in Botswana by the Canadian mining firm Lucara Diamond Corp. This discovery marks the first significant find since the 3,106-carat Cullinan Diamond was located in South Africa in 1905.

Lucara reported that the diamond was discovered intact at its Karowe mine and described it as an “exceptional” gem, ranking among the largest rough diamonds ever discovered. The recovery utilized the company’s advanced Mega Diamond Recovery (MDR) X-ray Transmission (XRT) technology, which is engineered to “identify and preserve large, high-value diamonds.”

William Lamb, Lucara’s president and chief executive officer, expressed enthusiasm regarding the diamond’s recovery, stating, “We are ecstatic about the recovery of this extraordinary 2,492 carat diamond.” Rough diamonds are generally categorized based on color, clarity, size, and shape into gem-quality, near-gem, or industrial-quality classifications.

Prior to this discovery, the Lesedi La Rona, a 1,109-carat diamond also unearthed by Lucara in the same mine, was recognized as the second largest diamond. This stone was sold to luxury jeweler Graff for $53 million in 2017. Notably, Lucara has discovered six of the top ten largest diamonds in history.

The newly discovered diamond will undergo a comprehensive evaluation in the forthcoming weeks, and it is scheduled for presentation to Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi. Additionally, Botswana has recently proposed legislation requiring mining companies to offer 24% stakes in their operations to local investors unless the government opts to acquire these shares.

The Cullinan Diamond, the largest ever found, was discovered in 1905 at the Premier mine in Transvaal, present-day South Africa, and later cut into smaller stones, some of which are part of the British royal family’s crown jewels.

The discovery of the 2,492-carat diamond in Botswana establishes a significant milestone in the diamond mining industry, being among the largest ever found. With advanced recovery technology and the potential for substantial economic benefits for local investors, this find underscores the ongoing importance of Botswana in global diamond production. Lucara Diamond Corp’s prominent record in diamond discoveries solidifies its position within the industry.

Original Source: edition.cnn.com