Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi, said the discovery of the second biggest diamond in the world, will help improve the socio-economic situation of the country.
This after a 2 492-carat diamond weighing around half a kilogram was found using X-ray technology at the Karowe Mine in central Botswana, which belongs to a Canadian mining company Lucara Diamond Corporation.
President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s government described the stone as the largest to be found in the country, when it was presented to him at his presidential office.
“This shows Botswana and the world how important mining, good governance is to Botswana.
They mean everything to us, in good times and bad times.
Every diamond remains precious.
With this, I see hospitals, water, kids going to school, food coming in and more goods imported.
It’s overwhelming and I’m lucky to have seen it in time,” said Masisi.
The southern African country is one of the world’s largest producers of diamonds, which is its main source of income accounting for 30% of its gross domestic product and 80% of its exports.
The country’s diamond industry supports many socio-economic benefits, mostly in the education and healthcare sector.
According to the mining company, it is too early to value the diamond nor give it a name, describing it as a remarkable find.
“This discovery underscores Karowe’s reputation as a world-class asset and reaffirms Lucara’s position as a leading producer of large, exceptional diamonds.
This latest recovery joins an impressive roster of other significant finds from the mine, including the 1 758 carat Sewelô and the 1 109 carat Lesedi La Rona,” said the company President and CEO, William Lamb.
