Diamond Of Over 1,000 Carats Discovered In Botswana
A 1,080.1-carat Type IIa white diamond has been discovered in Botswana, announced Canadian diamond producer Lucara Diamond.
The diamond, measuring 82.2 x 42.8 x 34.2 mm, was found in the Coarse XRT unit of the Karowe diamond mine, located in the central-northern region of Botswana, approximately 512 kilometers away from the capital, Gaborone.
This is the fourth diamond of over a thousand carats discovered in the Karowe mine since 2015.
The diamond, measuring 82.2 x 42.8 x 34.2 mm, was found in the Coarse XRT unit of the Karowe diamond mine, located in the central-northern region of Botswana, approximately 512 kilometers away from the capital, Gaborone.
This is the fourth diamond of over a thousand carats discovered in the Karowe mine since 2015.
(Picture source: lucaradiamond.com)
The stone measures 82.2 x 42.8 x 34.2 mm in size and is described by experts as a Type IIa top white gem of high quality.
Botswana Is Famous For Its High-Quality Diamonds
"Lucara is extremely pleased to be reporting the recovery of another large, high-quality gem diamond in excess of 1,000 carats in size," noted Lucara CEO Eira Thomas.
"As we progress mining deeper in the open pit and transition to underground mining, exclusively in the South Lobe, the preponderance of large, high-value stones is increasing, consistent with the resource model, and underpins the strong economic rationale for investing in the underground expansion that will extend the mine-life out to at least 2040", he added.
Lucara owns 100% of the Karowe mine, which has been in production since 2012.
Approximately two-thirds of Botswana's export revenue comes from diamonds.
Mining accounts for around a fifth of Botswana's GDP and 80% of export earnings, with diamonds the biggest contributor.
Out of the seven most significant diamonds ever found, six originated from Botswana, with five of them being unearthed at the Karowe Mine.
Among the remarkable discoveries at Karowe are the 1,758-carat Sewelô (2019), the 1,174-carat unnamed diamond (2021), the 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona (2015), and the 998-carat unnamed diamond (2020). In 2021, Botswana's Jwaneng mine, operated by Debswana, yielded a 1,098-carat gem.
