Diamond believed to be the world's third largest unearthed in Botswana

  • 26 Jun - 02 Jul, 2021
  • Mag The Weekly
  • Mag Files

A 1,098-carat diamond, believed to be the third largest on the planet, has been unearthed in Botswana. The diamond was first discovered earlier this month at the Jwaneng mine, which is operated by Debswana, a diamond company owned by both Botswana's government and the De Beers Group. The Jwaneng mine typically produces between 12.5 million and 15 million carats of diamonds per year. The new discovery is believed to be the third-largest diamond in the world, after the 3,106-carat Cullinan stone found in South Africa in 1905 and the 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona, which was discovered in 2015 by Lucara Diamonds in Botswana. Recently, the large gem was presented to the country's President, Mokgweetsi Masisi, by Debswana Diamond Company's acting managing director Lynette Armstrong. "This is the largest diamond to be recovered by Debswana in its history of over 50 years in operation," Armstrong said. "From our preliminary analysis it could be the world's third largest gem quality stone." The Botswana Government wrote in a statement on social media that any proceeds from the gem will "be used to advance national development in the country," as is the norm, according to President Masisi.

RELATED POST

COMMENTS