In a groundbreaking discovery, Lucara Diamond, a Canadian mining company, has unveiled a colossal diamond weighing 2,492 carats—the second-largest ever found on Earth. This remarkable gemstone was recovered from Lucara’s Karowe Diamond Mine located in southern Africa.
The diamond was detected and extracted using the company’s advanced Mega Diamond Recovery X-ray Transmission (XRT) technology, which has been in use since 2017. This technology was crucial in preserving the integrity of this exceptional find.
“We are thrilled by the recovery of this extraordinary 2,492-carat diamond,” said William Lamb, Lucara’s President and CEO. “This discovery not only highlights the immense potential of our Karowe Mine but also reinforces our commitment to investing in cutting-edge XRT technology. Our ability to recover such a significant, high-quality diamond intact demonstrates the effectiveness of our recovery methods.”
Lucara Diamond is also known for its previous major finds, including the 1,758-carat Sewelo diamond in 2019 and the 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona in 2015, both unearthed at the same mine.
Despite this impressive discovery, the largest diamond ever mined remains the 3,106-carat Cullinan Diamond, discovered in South Africa in 1902. The Cullinan Diamond was later cut into over 100 stones, including the 530.5-carat Cullinan I, which is now part of the Crown Jewels of England.
Lucara’s track record includes six of the top 10 largest diamonds ever found, solidifying its status as a leading player in the diamond mining industry.
The newly discovered diamond will undergo further evaluation in the coming weeks and is scheduled to be presented to Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi on Thursday. In related news, Botswana, a top diamond producer by value, is considering new legislation that would require mining companies to offer a 24% stake in their operations to local investors upon acquiring licenses, with the government holding the option to purchase this stake instead.
