Biggest diamond in more than a 100 years found in Botswana
Baku, November 19, AZERTAC
A small Canadian diamond company has found what it says is the world's second-biggest gem quality diamond ever recovered, and the largest in more than a century, at its mine in Botswana, according to Independent newspaper.
Lucara Diamond said the 1,111 carat stone was found at its Karowe mine in north-central Botswana, one of the world's most prolific diamond-producing areas.
The Type IIa diamond measures 65 millimeters by 56 mm by 40 mm. It is slightly smaller than a tennis ball.
The biggest gem-quality diamond ever found is the Cullinan diamond, a 3,106-carat stone found in the Premier mine in South Africa in 1905. It was cut into several polished gems, the two largest of which are part of Britain's crown jewels.
Lucara Diamond CEO and president William Lamb said: "This historic diamond recovery puts Lucara and the Karowe mine amongst a select number of truly exceptional diamond producers.
"The significance of the recovery of a gem quality stone larger than 1,000 carats, the largest for more than a century and the continued recovery of high quality stones from the south lobe, cannot be overstated.
He added: "Our focus on mining the south lobe, which is delivering value beyond expectation, has been perfectly timed with the commissioning of our recent plant modifications, enabling the recovery of these large, high quality exceptional diamonds."
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