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World’s second largest 2,492-carat diamond unearthed in new mining discovery

Lucara recovered the diamond using its "Mega Diamond Recovery X-Ray Transmission" technology
World’s second largest 2,492-carat diamond unearthed in new mining discovery
Diamond mining is crucial to Botswana's economy, accounting for a large portion of its exports.

A new massive 2,492-carat (or 498.4-gram) diamond has been discovered at the Karowe Diamond Mine in northeastern Botswana, Canadian mining company Lucara Diamond Corp has announced. This makes it the second-largest diamond ever found within the Earth, surpassed only by the 3,106-carat Cullinan diamond discovered in South Africa in 1905.

Presidential inspection

Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi was quick to inspect and pose with the rare gemstone at his office in the capital Gaborone. The diamond mining industry is crucial for Botswana’s economy, accounting for a significant portion of the country’s total exports.

Advanced recovery technology

Lucara announced that they utilized their state-of-the-art “Mega Diamond Recovery X-Ray Transmission” technology, implemented in 2017, to identify and recover the diamond. This system allows for the detection and careful extraction of large stones, helping to prevent unintentional damage or breakage during the mining process.

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Socioeconomic benefits

Lucara’s President William Lamb expressed the company’s elation over the recovery of this extraordinary gemstone. He stated that it not only showcases the remarkable potential of the Karowe Mine, but also upholds Lucara’s strategic investment in cutting-edge X-Ray Transmission technology. Lamb further highlighted that the ability to recover such a massive, high-quality stone intact demonstrates the effectiveness of Lucara’s approach to diamond recovery. It also demonstrates the company’s commitment to maximizing value for its shareholders and stakeholders, he added.

Lucara further noted that the diamond industry in Botswana delivers wide-ranging socio-economic benefits to the country. The benefits extend beyond the mining sector. They positively impact critical areas such as education and healthcare, the company said.

Previous large discoveries

This is the third very large diamond unearthed at the Karowe mine in recent years, following the 1,758-carat “Sewelo” stone discovered in 2019 and the 1,174-carat diamond extracted in 2021, both using the same advanced X-ray technology.

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