- Letseng diamond mine
The Letseng diamond mine, found in the landlocked
Southern Africa n water and mountain kingdom ofLesotho , is owned byGem Diamonds , Ltd. and the government of Lesotho, and at an elevation of 3,100 m (10,000 ft) it is the world's highest diamond mine.Production
It is characterised by extremely low grade ore (less than 2 carat/hundred tons) and is well known for producing huge
diamond s, having the highest percentage of large diamonds (greater than 10 carats), giving it the highest dollar value per carat of any diamond mine. The world average is roughly US$81 per carat, while Letseng averaged over US$1,894 per carat for the first six months of 2007.cite web
url = http://www.fin24.co.za/articles/default/display_article.aspx?Nav=ns&ArticleID=1518-24_2182627
title = Big diamond discovery in Africa
accessdaymonth = 13 September
accessyear = 2007
date = 2007-09-13
work = Finance 24
publisher = Fin24.com
doi =
archiveurl =
archivedate =
quote = ]Unusual for Africa, and due to the elevation, temperatures at the mine drop to -20°C, and snowfalls are common in winter.
Significant diamond finds
Lesotho Promise
On the 4th of October 2006 the 603 carat (121 g) white diamond, the Lesotho Promise was unearthed, and is the largest reported find this century and the 15th largest diamond ever found. The stone is an exceptional colour, rated D, the top colour for diamonds.
Lesotho Brown
Previously the largest diamond found at Letseng was the 601 carat (120 g) Lesotho Brown, recovered in 1967.
Letseng Legacy (September 2007)
On
September 13 ,2007 Gem Diamonds, Ltd. announced that it found a 493 carat diamond, making it the 18th largest diamond ever found. It was sold to the Graff-SAFDICO partnership for $10 million.Star of Lesotho
In 2004, Gem Diamonds, Ltd. found a large diamond of 123 carats.cite web
url = http://www.safdico.com/expertise/showcase/Star-of-Lesotho
title = Star of Lesotho
accessdaymonth = 14 April
accessyear = 2008]Unnamed (September 2008)
On
September 21 ,2008 Gem Diamonds, Ltd. announced that it found a 478 carat diamond of high quality, making it the 20th largest diamond ever found. It is a type II D colour, with potential to yield a 150 carat cut stone. Chief executive Clifford Elphick said: "Preliminary examination of this remarkable diamond indicates it will yield a record-breaking polished stone of the very best colour and clarity, and has no inclusions visible in its rough form." [ [http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story_s.asp?StoryId=1093213238 menafn.com, World's 20th largest rough diamond found in Lesotho] ] [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7628475.stm news.bbc.co.uk, Massive diamond found in Lesotho] ] Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
Letseng diamond mine
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