Lucara unearths 166ct. diamond from Karowe mine
Lucara Diamond Corp. has unearthed a 166-carat diamond from its Karowe mine in in north-central Botswana. Discovered in 1969, the Karowe mine site is situated at an elevation of 1,020m above sea level in the Kalahari Desert. The location is accessible by the Letlhakane to Orapa road with Letlhakane village being the closest settlement.
Karowe mine
The Karowe mine is a kimberlite body comprising three geologically distinct, integrated pipes called the North Lobe, Centre Lobe, and South Lobe. Each of the lobes contains kimberlite of a different nature with difference in the texture, weathering, and proportion of rock dilution.
The white, type IIa stone discovered came from the M/PK(S) unit in the south lobe, known for its large, high-quality rough. The company has been successful in consistently recovering sizable and high-quality diamonds from this specific area.
This discovery is the 328th diamond over 100 carats since the commencement of mining in 2012, underscoring the productivity and richness of the Karowe mine. Lucara’s commitment to the ongoing recovery of large, high-quality diamonds supports its strategic decision to invest in the underground expansion project. Extending the mine life until at least 2040 reflects the company’s long-term vision and confidence in the economic viability of the project.
