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Rare 1,305-carat diamond emerges intact from Botswana mine

A rough diamond crystal protrudes from a dark rock formation. (Adobe Stock Photo)
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A rough diamond crystal protrudes from a dark rock formation. (Adobe Stock Photo)
July 16, 2026 11:30 AM GMT+03:00

Canadian miner Lucara Diamond Corp has recovered a 1,305.4-carat rough diamond from its Karowe Mine in Botswana, marking the tenth stone exceeding 1,000 carats produced by the mine since operations began in 2012.

The company said the diamond, categorized as white and unbroken, measures 79.9 by 34.1 by 51.9 millimeters.

It was recovered intact using Lucara's Mega Diamond Recovery X-ray Transmission technology, which scans ore for large stones before they are crushed by conventional processing.

According to Lucara Diamond Corp., the yet-to-be-named stone was found while processing a blend of material from the current open-pit operation and previously stockpiled ore. Because of this mix, the company cannot conclusively determine its exact geological origin within the deposit.

The discovery solidifies Karowe's reputation as the only diamond mine in history to yield ten stones exceeding 1,000 carats. Previous historic recoveries from the Botswana site include the 2,488-carat Motswedi—the largest diamond found in more than a century, alongside a 2,036-carat stone recovered in 2025, the 1,758-carat Sewelo, the 1,111-carat Lesedi La Rona, the 1,094-carat Seriti, and the 1,080-carat Eva Star.

Lucara stated that this latest find reinforces Karowe's standing as one of the world's premier sources for high-value gems while validating ongoing investments into the mine's underground expansion project

Shift to underground mining

Karowe is currently transitioning from open-pit to underground mining. Underground ore is expected to begin supplementing stockpiled material in 2027, with full-scale underground production planned for the first half of 2028.

Lucara markets its Karowe mine as a premier source of Type IIa diamonds, a rare and highly prized category known for its exceptional optical clarity and lack of nitrogen impurities.

Botswana ranks among the world's largest diamond producers by value, with the sector forming a significant share of the country's export revenue.

July 16, 2026 11:30 AM GMT+03:00
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