Lucara Digs Up 166ct. Rough from Karowe

Lucara Diamond Corp. has recovered a 166-carat diamond from its Karowe mine in Botswana, the first discovery over 100 carats so far this year.

The white, type IIa stone came from the M/PK(S) unit in the south lobe, known for its large, high-quality rough, Lucara said Wednesday. The miner found the diamond via its XRT unit, which uses x-ray technology to identify huge stones in large pieces of ore before they get broken up.

The stone is the 328th over 100 carats unearthed at the mine since the company began mining in 2012, it noted.

“Lucara is pleased to announce the ongoing recovery of large, high-quality diamonds from the Karowe mine,” said Lucara CEO William Lamb. “This latest recovery further supports the economic rationale for investing in the underground expansion project that will extend mine life to at least 2040.”