Storm Mountain Diamonds has sold 47.8 carats pink diamond recovered from Kao diamond mine, in Lesotho.
The valuable stone which was named the Pink Eternity was exhumed in April, according to the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mohale Ralikariki. It’s so far the largest pink diamond recovered at the mine to date and also possibly the largest pink diamond to be mined in Lesotho.
Significant recovery
Mr Ralikariki said the development was a significant recovery from the COVID-19 impact, adding that the mine had spent a lot of money operating under undesirable circumstances while striving to meet its targets.
The sale attained is set to benefit the government in terms of royalties paid and the balance will be reserved to sustain the mine’s daily operations. The Kao mine is located in the Lesotho district of Botha Bothe, and mines the fourth largest kimberlite pipe in Southern Africa and the largest kimberlite pipe in Lesotho over 19.8 ha, with an indicated and inferred resource base of 12.7-million carats.
The mine has produced a couple of rare coloured gems including blue, top light brown, classic white, yellow, purple, and pink diamonds. The mine has been explored and confirmed to a depth of 500 m, and boasts 18 years of operation left.
