A massive 2,492-carat diamond, the second largest ever found, was discovered in Botswana by Lucara Diamond Corp. This diamond, excavated using advanced technology, is the largest since the 3,106-carat Cullinan Diamond. The find underscores Lucara’s significant contributions to diamond mining and Botswana’s status as a leading producer.
A significant 2,492-carat rough diamond has been discovered in Botswana, marking it as the second-largest diamond ever found, as reported by Lucara Diamond Corp. This remarkable gem is the largest since the 3,106-carat Cullinan Diamond was uncovered in South Africa in 1905. The extraordinary find was reported to be intact and was excavated from Lucara’s Karowe mine, utilizing advanced Mega Diamond Recovery X-ray Transmission technology designed to preserve high-value diamonds.
William Lamb, the president and CEO of Lucara, expressed enthusiasm regarding the discovery, stating, “We are ecstatic about the recovery of this extraordinary 2,492 carat diamond.” Rough diamonds are generally categorized into gem-quality, near-gem, or industrial-quality, based on color, clarity, size, and shape. Previously, the second-largest diamond was the Lesedi La Rona, a 1,109-carat stone also found by Lucara in 2015, which sold for $53 million two years later.
Lucara has a notable track record in diamond discovery, with six of the top ten largest diamonds found by the company. The newly discovered diamond will undergo further evaluation in the upcoming weeks. Additionally, it is set to be presented to Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi as part of the country’s ongoing dialogue surrounding diamond mining. Botswana, recognized as the leading diamond producer by value, recently proposed a new law mandating that mining companies offer a 24% stake in their projects to local investors.
Historically, the Cullinan Diamond, found in 1905 at the Premier mine in Transvaal, has become a symbol of the British royal family, with some of its smaller cuts featured in their crown jewels.
The discovery of the 2,492-carat diamond in Botswana not only highlights Lucara Diamond Corp.’s success in diamond mining but also reaffirms Botswana’s prominence in the global diamond industry. This unprecedented find, the second largest in history, signifies economic potential for local investors amid ongoing legislative changes regarding mining ownership. The diamond’s upcoming evaluation and presentation to the President signify both cultural and economic importance in the region.
Original Source: edition.cnn.com
