Lucara Diamond recovers fourth +1000 carat diamond in Botswana
Lucara Diamond Corp. has recovered a 1,080 carat white diamond from the Karowe mine in Botswana. The diamond, measuring 82.2 x 42.8 x 34.2mm is described as a Type IIa top white gem of high quality, recovered in the Coarse XRT unit at Karowe from direct milling of ore sourced from the M/PK(S) unit of the South Lobe.
Achievement
This is the fourth +1,000 carat diamond recovered from the South Lobe of the AK6 kimberlite since 2015. Other notable recoveries include the 1,758 carat Sewelo (2019), a 1,174 carat diamond (2021) and the 1,109 carat Lesedi La Rona (2015).
The CEO of Lucara, Eira Thomas, expressed satisfaction with the recovery of another large gem diamond and highlighted the increasing presence of large, high-value stones as they mine deeper in the open pit and transition to underground mining.
“As we progress mining deeper in the open pit and transition to underground mining, exclusively in the South Lobe, the preponderance of large, high value stones is increasing, consistent with the resource model and underpins the strong economic rationale for investing in the underground expansion that will extend the mine life out to at least 2040,’’ she said.
Lucara Diamond Corp. is a member of the Lundin Group of companies, and the Karowe mine has been in production since 2012. The company is focusing on both open pit operations, expected to continue until 2026, and potential underground operations that could extend until 2040.
