Written By Lisa Murimi
In a groundbreaking discovery, a massive 2,492-carat rough diamond has been unearthed at the Karowe mine in Botswana, making it the second-largest diamond ever found.Â
The Canadian mining company Lucara Diamond, which owns the mine, announced the find, calling it “one of the largest rough diamonds ever unearthed.”
This remarkable discovery surpasses the previous record in Botswana—a 1,758-carat stone found at the same mine in 2019.
It also marks the most significant diamond find since the legendary 3,106-carat Cullinan diamond was discovered in South Africa in 1905.
The Cullinan diamond was cut into nine stones, many of which are now part of the British Crown Jewels.
The diamond was detected using Lucara’s Mega Diamond Recovery X-ray technology, which has been in operation since 2017 to protect high-value diamonds from damage during ore processing.
Although the stone’s gem quality and value remain undisclosed, Lucara’s head, William Lamb, expressed his excitement over the discovery.
Botswana, one of the world’s leading diamond producers, continues to strengthen its position in the global market.
The government is also considering new legislation to ensure local participation in the mining industry, further highlighting the significance of this discovery for the nation.
