A massive 2,492-carat diamond has been discovered in Botswana, thought to be the second largest ever unearthed. This find is the most significant since the Cullinan Diamond in 1905. Canadian company Lucara Diamond Corp. recovered the stone using advanced technology. The diamond will be evaluated and presented to Botswana’s President. The country also proposed a new law regarding local investment in mining.
A notable discovery has occurred in Botswana, where a colossal 2,492-carat rough diamond has been unearthed, believed to be the second largest ever found. This substantial gem is considered the most significant find since the 3,106-carat Cullinan Diamond was discovered in South Africa in 1905. Lucara Diamond Corp., the Canadian mining company responsible for this discovery, announced the find on Thursday, celebrating it as one of the largest rough diamonds ever unearthed.
The diamond was recovered intact from Lucara’s Karowe mine through the innovative Mega Diamond Recovery (MDR) X-ray Transmission (XRT) technology. This technology is specifically designed to identify and preserve large, high-value diamonds. William Lamb, President and CEO of Lucara, expressed great enthusiasm in a press release about this extraordinary recovery, noting the significance of the gem.
Rough diamonds are typically classified based on their quality, which includes gem-quality, near-gem, or industrial-quality categories. Prior to this recent discovery, the second largest diamond was the Lesedi La Rona, weighing 1,109 carats and also found in the Karowe mine in 2015. This diamond was later sold to luxury jeweler Graff for $53 million.
According to Lucara’s spokeswoman, the company has discovered six of the ten largest diamonds ever found. The newly unearthed diamond is scheduled for proper evaluation in the coming weeks and will be presented to Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi on Thursday.
In a related note, Botswana, recognized as the world’s largest diamond producer by value, has proposed a law requiring mining companies to offer a 24% stake to local investors upon receiving mining licenses. This proposal allows the government to exercise the option to acquire the shareholding. The famous 3,106-carat Cullinan Diamond, discovered in 1905, was later cut into gemstones that are now part of the British royal family’s crown jewels.
The discovery of the 2,492-carat diamond in Botswana marks a significant milestone in diamond mining history and establishes it as one of the largest rough diamonds ever found. This achievement highlights the advancements in mining technology and the ongoing legacy of Botswana as a top diamond producer. Furthermore, the proposed law to involve local investors in mining illustrates the nation’s commitment to economic development and equitable resource management.
Original Source: edition.cnn.com
