Botswana has long been renowned for its extraordinary diamond discoveries, consistently unearthing some of the world’s most exceptional gems. The recent discovery of a colossal 2,492-carat diamond further defines Botswana’s status as a global leader in the diamond industry. Botswana’s diamond mining journey dates back to pre-historic times, but modern exploration began in earnest in the mid-20th century.
The country’s first significant discovery occurred in 1967, a year after its independence, with the unearthing of the Orapa kimberlite field. Watch : This discovery marked the beginning of a diamond boom in Botswana, leading to the establishment of major mines such as Letlhakane (1968), Jwaneng (1973), Gope (1981), and Lerala (1991). Since then, Botswana has become the second-largest producer of natural diamonds globally, trailing only Russia.
The country has produced 665 million carats of diamonds since 1971, representing 14 per cent of the world’s total diamond production. Notably, Botswana’s diamond reserves are still far from depleted, with the potential to increase its global share as other producers’ resources dwindle. The recent discovery In a remarkable find, Canadian mining company Lucara Diamond Corp.
unearthed a staggering 2,492-carat diamond at the Karowe Mine in Botswana. This diamond, the largest found in more than a century, is the second-largest ever discovered, following only the 3,106-carat Cullinan diamond unearthed in South Africa in 1905. The as-yet-unnamed diamond was revealed to the world at a ceremony at the office of Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi, who expressed his awe at the sight of the stone, saying, “It is overwhelming.
I am lucky to have seen it in my time.” Lucara Diamond Corp.’s President and CEO William Lamb shared his excitement, stating, “We are ecstatic about the recovery of this extraordinary 2,492-carat diamond.
” The diamond, which weighs nearly half a kilogram, was located using advanced X-ray technology designed to identify large, high-value diamonds, highlighting the role of innovation in modern diamond mining. A legacy of exceptional diamonds Botswana’s Karowe Mine has been the source of several other notable diamond discoveries in recent years. Before the 2,492-carat diamond, the mine had produced the 1,758-carat Sewelo diamond in 2019, which was purchased by luxury group LVMH in January 2020.
Another significant find from Karowe was the 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona diamond, discovered in 2015 and later sold to British jeweler Laurence Graff for $53 million. Other remarkable diamonds from Botswana include the 1,111-carat Lesedi La Rona and The Constellation, which set a record when it was sold for $63 million. These discoveries have consistently placed Botswana at the forefront of the diamond industry, demonstrating the country’s unparalleled geological richness.
How Botswana impacts the global diamond market Botswana’s diamond production has significantly impacted the global market. Between 1870 and 2012, the world produced approximately 4,898 million carats of diamonds, with Botswana contributing 665 million carats to this total. The country’s diamonds are not only abundant but also of exceptional quality, with many of the world’s largest and most valuable stones originating from Botswana.
In 2011 alone, Botswana produced 23 million carats of diamonds, valued at $3.9 billion, accounting for 18.5 per cent of the global production by volume and 27 per cent by value.
This economic impact has been crucial for Botswana, contributing significantly to its GDP and overall economic development. What next? Looking ahead, Botswana is poised to maintain its leading position in the global diamond industry. With many other diamond-producing regions nearing the end of their productive lives, Botswana’s rich reserves are expected to continue yielding significant finds.
The discovery of the 2,492-carat diamond is a testament to the ongoing potential within Botswana’s mines and the advanced technology being employed to uncover these hidden treasures. Also Watch : With inputs from agencies.
