Gem Diamonds, a prominent Africa-focused mining company listed on the London Stock Exchange (LON: GEMD), has made a significant discovery at its Letšeng mine in Lesotho—a remarkable 169.15 carat Type II white diamond.
This latest find marks the fourth instance this year of Gem Diamonds recovering diamonds exceeding 100 carats from the Letšeng operation, the company announced.
Previous discoveries at Letšeng include a 113-carat diamond, a 295-carat white Type II diamond, and a 139-carat boart diamond. Type IIa diamonds, characterized by minimal or no nitrogen atoms in their crystal structure, are highly prized and sought after for their rarity and purity. Boart diamonds, on the other hand, are of lower quality and commonly utilized in powdered form as abrasives.
Situated at an elevation of 3,100 meters (10,000 feet) above sea level, the prolific Letšeng mine stands among the world’s top ten diamond operations in terms of revenue. Its exceptional altitude also distinguishes it as one of the highest diamond mines globally, adding to its significance within the industry.
