X-ray technology has helped to identify and preserve one of the biggest rough diamonds ever discovered.

The ‘exceptional’ 2 492 carat rough diamond, unearthed at the Karowe mine in Botswana, is second in size only to the 3 106 ct Cullinan diamond discovered in South Africa in 1905.

Lucara Diamond Corp, which owns the mine, puts the successful find down to the ‘cutting edge’ Mega Diamond Recovery X-ray transmission (XRT) technology, which it installed in 2017. The XRT technology’s near infrared sorters recognise and separate kimberlite and waste rock based on chemical composition.

‘The ability to recover such a massive, high-quality stone intact demonstrates the effectiveness of our approach to diamond recovery and our commitment to maximising value for our shareholders and stakeholders,’ says Lucara president and CEO William Lamb.

The 2 492 ct diamond was recovered from the processing of EM/PK(S) kimberlite, the dominant ore type. According to its website, Lucara is planning to convert the open-pit mine into an underground operation, which is expected to start production in 2028 and expand the mine’s life until 2040.

The Karowe mine is one of the most productive diamond mines in the world, having yielded a number of large, high-quality, Type IIA diamonds in excess of 10.8 carats, including the 1 758 ct Sewelô and the 1 109 ct Lesedi La Rona.

27 August 2024
Image: Lucara Diamond