Lucara finds second biggest diamond yet in Botswana

Lucara Diamond

22/08/2024 09:20

GABORONE, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Canada's Lucara Diamond
Corp  LUC.TO  has dicovered a 2,492 carat diamond at its Karowe
mine in Botswana, the company said late Wednesday, one of the
largest stones to be excavated.
    Lucara did not reveal the stone's gem quality but its size
would make it the second largest rough diamond discovered to
date, after the 3,106 carat Cullinan Diamond found in
neighbouring South Africa in 1905. After being cut and polished,
it became part of the British crown jewels.
    The Karowe Mine is known for producing large stones, with
other significant finds including the 1,758 carat Sewelô and the
1,109 carat Lesedi La Rona diamonds.
    The company will present the diamond to Botswana's President
Mokgweetsi Masisi on Thursday. Botswana is the world's top
diamond producer by value.
    The southern African country last month proposed a law that
will ask mining companies, once granted a licence, to sell a 24%
stake in mines to local investors unless the government
exercises its option to acquire the shareholding.

 (Reporting by Brian Benza; Editing by Tannur Anders, Nelson
Banya and Barbara Lewis)
 ((Tannur.Anders@thomsonreuters.com;))