Lucara Diamond Corp. (TSX: LUC) has unearthed a 2,492-carat mega-diamond from its renowned Karowe mine in Botswana, marking it as the second-largest diamond ever mined by size.
Described as “epic” by Lucara, the diamond was discovered and extracted using the company’s Mega Diamond Recovery (MDR) X-ray Transmission (XRT) technology. This advanced system, installed in 2017, is designed to detect and preserve large, high-value stones.
The quality of the huge gem has not yet been disclosed but its size has undoubtedly grabbed the world’s attention as the second-largest diamond ever found, following the 3,106-carat Cullinan diamond.
William Lamb, President and CEO of Lucara, commented on this historic 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. The ability to recover such a massive, high-quality stone intact demonstrates the effectiveness of our approach to diamond recovery and our commitment to maximizing value for our shareholders and stakeholders.”
Mr. Lamb added, “This discovery reinforces Karowe’s position as a truly world-class diamond mine and highlights the continued success of our operational and underground development strategy.”
In recent years, the Karowe mine has been the source of several significant diamond discoveries, including the 1,758-carat Sewelô in 2019, the 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona in 2015, and the 813-carat Constellation, also in 2015. Additionally, the mine is credited with producing Botswana’s largest fancy pink diamond to date, the Boitumelo.
On Thursday, the Vancouver-based mining company presented the newly discovered, yet-to-be-named diamond to Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi. He hailed the massive stone as the largest diamond found in over a century.
The African country is the world’s largest producer of diamonds, and the trade has transformed it into a middle-income nation.
Karowe remains one of the highest-margin diamond mines in the world, producing an average of 300,000 high-value carats each year.
