Gem Diamonds uncovers 196 karat diamond

IRJ Sep 7 - Gem Diamonds has recovered a huge 196 karat diamond. The company that works the Letšeng la Terai diamond pipe in Lesotho has uncovered a top quality stone. The company has found three of the world’s largest recorded diamonds since it started working the mine.

Cliff Elphick, CEO of Gem Diamonds said to press, "Letšeng continues to live up to its reputation as a unique producer of exceptional diamonds and the recovery of this remarkable 196 carat white diamond reinforces its position as one of the great mines in the diamond industry. In order to increase the returns from this world class asset, management is focused on a number of work streams which aim to substantially expand production and increase value at Letšeng."

The mine is located in the Maluit Mountains and is the world’s highest diamond mine, which makes for hard working conditions. The mine has the highest percentage of large diamonds of any kimberlite diamond mine.

The mine, located in the Maluti Mountains, is the highest diamond mine in the world at an average altitude of 3,100m above sea level and is one of the coldest places in Africa which makes for extreme working conditions.