Botswana Unveils the Largest Diamond Discovery in Over a Century

 

A monumental diamond discovery has been made in Botswana, marking the largest unearthing of its kind in over a century. The 2,492-carat diamond, found at a mine in the central region of the country, is now recognized as the second-largest diamond ever discovered.

On Thursday, August 22, Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi proudly showcased the massive stone during a special viewing ceremony. Weighing nearly half a kilogram, the diamond is the biggest to be found since 1905. The event, held at the President's office, was attended by government officials and representatives from Lucara Diamond Corp., the Canadian mining company responsible for the discovery.

Naseem Lahri, Managing Director of Lucara Diamond Corp. in Botswana, expressed her excitement about the historic find. "This is history in the making," she said. "I am very proud. It is a product of Botswana." The company had recovered the "exceptional" diamond at its Karowe Mine using advanced X-ray technology specifically designed to locate large stones.

Lucara's President and CEO, William Lamb, also shared his enthusiasm in a statement, saying, "We are ecstatic about the recovery of this extraordinary 2,492-carat diamond." He emphasized the significance of the find, noting that it is the largest diamond discovered in 119 years and the second-largest ever extracted from a mine.

While it is too early to determine the diamond's exact value or how it will be sold, its size and quality suggest it could be one of the most valuable gems ever found. A smaller diamond from the same mine was sold for a record $63 million in 2016, further underscoring the potential value of this latest discovery.

The diamond's size places it just behind the famous Cullinan Diamond, which was discovered in South Africa in 1905. The Cullinan weighed in at 3,106 carats and was eventually cut into several gems, some of which are part of the British Crown Jewels.

As Botswana celebrates this remarkable achievement, the world watches with anticipation to see how this extraordinary diamond will be valued and utilized in the future.