Mining Company Finds Huge 2,492-Carat Diamond, Making It 'One of the Largest Rough Diamonds Ever Unearthed'
Miners recently unearthed a gemstone in Botswana that could very well be the second-largest-ever diamond found on Earth. The 2,492 carat diamond was found in the Karowe mine owned by the Canadian mining company Lucara Diamond Corp, stated CNN. The gem is just behind the 3,106-carat Cullinan Diamond uncovered in 1905 in South Africa and surpasses the previously-known second-largest diamond, Lesedi La Rona, by 1,383 carats.
The diamond was spotted and recovered using the Mega Diamond Recovery (MDR) X-ray Transmission (XRT) technology administered by the company. According to Lucara Diamond Corp, the technology was created to "identify and preserve large, high-value diamonds." The Botswana diamond could now be the company's sixth entry in the top 10 diamonds ever discovered on Earth. The finding is currently being evaluated for further information on its nature.
Lucara Diamond Corp was ecstatic by the find and believes it is reflective of the mine's huge potential, according to CBS News. "This find not only showcases the remarkable potential of our Karowe Mine but also upholds our strategic investment in cutting-edge XRT technology. The ability to recover such a massive, high-quality stone intact demonstrates the effectiveness of our approach to diamond recovery and our commitment to maximizing value for our shareholders and stakeholders," William Lamb, President and CEO of Lucara said. "This discovery reinforces Karowe's position as a truly world-class diamond mine."
Karowe mine has previously produced many large gemstones, according to The New York Times. As per experts, such humongous diamonds come to the surface mostly due to volcanic activity. "All of the stars aligned with that volcanic eruption, and the conditions were just perfect," Paul Zimnisky, an independent analyst in the diamond industry explained regarding the remarkable finding.
The mining company decided to employ the technology in Karowe mine after being informed of the site producing large quantities of small but coarse stones that looked like "chewed glass." For them, it was a clue that a large diamond was nestled in the establishment and was being crushed during the mining processes. "A diamond is hard and you can’t scratch it, but it’s actually very easy to break," Lamb explained.
The examination of the diamond will reveal the stone's exact value. Seeing its size and features though Ziminsky estimates it will be sold in the range of tens of millions of dollars. Experts believe that the diamond would be cut up into smaller gems and become part of luxury brands. This was the pattern followed after huge discoveries by Lucara Diamond Corp.
The diamond was presented to Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi in August. The exceptional discovery is also meaningful for the country since it is the biggest diamond unearthed in more than a century from their territory. Moreover, the diamond's sale will also serve as a huge boost for the country's economy. The mining industry, too, is ecstatic as they believe the magnanimous finding could aid in increasing the popularity of natural diamonds in the world making them an even more profitable venture. "The big diamonds sell the small diamonds," Mr. Zimnisky explained.