Lucara is a leading independent producer of large exceptional quality type lea diamonds from its 100% owned Karowe Mine in Botswana.
Lucara Diamond has this month discovered the second biggest stone on record. Mined from its 100% owned Karowe Diamond Mine in Botswana, the unbroken 1758 carat stone weighed in at close to 352 grams and measured in at 83mm x 62mm x 46mm. With further detailed analysis under-way the gem has been classified of variable quality with included domains of high quality white gem.
Eira Thomas CEO of the Canadian company proudly commented:
“Lucara's technologically advanced, XRT diamond recovery circuit has once again delivered historic results. Karowe has now produced two diamonds greater than 1,000 carats in just four years, affirming the coarse nature of the resource and the likelihood of recovering additional, large, high quality diamonds in the future, particularly as we mine deeper in the orebody and gain access to the geologically favourable EM/PK(S) unit, the source of both of our record breaking, +1,000 carat diamonds."
So just how special is the largest ever diamond discovered in Botswana? Well, the uncut discovery that is larger than a tennis ball is beaten only by the famous 3106 carat Cullican. This latest finding displaces the 1109 carat Lesedi La Rona, also discovered at the Karowe mine into the number two spot.
Whilst this find of variable quality isn’t expected to yield on par with other finds at the mine, the Lucara XRT diamond recovery circuit is quickly turning into the gift that keeps on giving. In addition to the Lesedi which after a two year wait eventually sold for $53 million, there has also been a 813 carat stone that yielded a record $63 million and the 342 carat flawless 'Queen of Kalahari'.
The X-Ray transmission (XRT) diamond recovery units which were commissioned in 2015 and upgraded by Lucara in 2017 at a cost of $30 million allow for a streamlined diamond recovery process. Through the use of the units along with associated conveyance and screening equipment Lucura are able to process dense high quality Karowe south lobe within the depths of the mine.
Upon announcement of the discovery Lucara's shares rose by as much as 11.4% to the highest in more than two months. With Lucara continuing to lead the way with XRT technology and venturing into the online platform arena with 'Clara',the future certainly looks bright for the Vancouver based business.
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