De Beers unit's gigantic diamond could be third-biggest ever

[BOTSWANA] Debswana Diamond, a unit of De Beers, unearthed a 1,098 carat stone in Botswana on June 1, the largest since the company began operations five decades ago.

Preliminary analysis suggests the stone is the world's third-largest gem-quality diamond ever after the Cullinan Diamond that was discovered in South Africa in 1905 and the Lesedi la Rona that was found in Botswana in 2015, according to Debswana acting managing director Lynette Armstrong.

Valuation by the Diamond Trading Co (Botswana) is due in a few weeks and at this point, Debswana can't say whether the rock will be sold by De Beers or through the Okavango Diamond, a state-owned trader that also holds the right to buy Debswana stones, Ms Armstrong said.

"Debswana will work with the government of the Republic of Botswana and De Beers to value and sell the diamond to ensure it returns maximum benefit for the people of Botswana," the company's spokesperson, Rachel Mothibatsela, said.

The stone was discovered at Jwaneng, the world's richest mine by value, which is undergoing a US$2 billion expansion.

Debswana is a 50/50 partnership between Botswana and De Beers to mine the gems in the south-western African nation. Last year, the company produced 16.6 million carats, compared with 23.3 million carats in 2019.

Botswana accounts for more than two-thirds of De Beers' output, while the country relies on diamonds for 90 per cent of its exports. Last year, the nation's total rough diamond sales fell 30 per cent to US$2.1 billion as mines suspended production due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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