Lucara Diamond made a significant announcement on Wednesday regarding the recovery of several notable diamonds from its Karowe diamond mine in Botswana. Among the discoveries are a 320-carat diamond, a 111-carat diamond, and two additional stones weighing over 50 carats each.
These impressive diamonds were retrieved directly from the processing of kimberlite ore sourced from the South Lobe during a recent production cycle. Lucara also reported the retrieval of numerous smaller diamonds, each weighing over 10.8 carats and of considerable value.
The 320-carat diamond stands out as a gem-quality, top light brown diamond, while the 111-carat stone is described as a Type IIa white diamond of exceptional quality. The two additional stones, each surpassing 50 carats, are also identified as Type IIa white diamonds. These discoveries further enrich the array of significant stones unearthed at Karowe, which previously included a 692.3-carat diamond recovered last summer.
According to Lucara, these recent recoveries underscore the progress of the underground mine development, which prioritizes ore extraction from the EM/PK(S) domain with a target exceeding 95% during the initial three years of underground production. The company’s investment of $106 million in underground development at Karowe in 2022 reflects its commitment to this endeavor.
William Lamb, CEO of Lucara Diamond, commented on the significance of these diamond recoveries, stating, “These diamond recoveries from the EM/PK(S) domain of the South Lobe further validate the quality and potential of the Karowe diamond mine.” He added, “Our team’s dedication to innovation and operational excellence continues to drive our success, and we look forward to delivering further value to our stakeholders.”