Most of Lesotho’s high-value diamond mines are located in a cluster high-up in the Maluti mountains. The country’s major mines are Letseng-la-Terae, Liqhobong, Kao, Kolo and Mothae.
The Letseng mine which is found at an elevation of 3,100 meters is the world’s highest diamond mine. In 1959 it was declared a “government digging”, and hundreds of small-scale miners started to excavate the near-surface weathered kimberlite. In 1968 the property was acquired by Rio Tinto who abandoned the site in 1972. It was subsequently acquired by De Beers from 1975 until 1982.In 1999 the mining rights were obtained by Letseng diamonds, and in 2007 the mine was acquired by African Gem Diamonds and the Government of Lesotho. This mine is known for producing huge diamonds and has the highest dollar per carat value of any diamond mine in the world. Unusual for Africa, but due to its high elevation, temperatures at the mine drop to -20°C, and snowfalls are common in winter. Letseng has grown to be one of the largest open pit diamond mines in the world and in 2018 the Lesotho Legend (910carats), currently the 10th largest diamond in the world was recovered. Below is a list of some of the biggest and most valuable diamonds recovered:-
Year Name Carat Worth
2020 Letseng Icon 439 sold for $16.1m
20I9 Letseng Pink Diamond 13.32 sold for $8.75m
2018 Lesotho Legend 910 sold for $40m
2015 Letseng Dynasty 357 sold for $19.3m
2015 Letseng Destiny 314 unknown
2011 Letseng Star 550 unknown
2008 Lesedi La Letseng 478 $18.4m
2007 Letseng Legacy 493 $10.4m
2006 Lesotho Promise 603 $12.4m
The Letseng Pink Diamond which was sold for $656 934 per carat is the highest dollar per carat achieved by a Letseng diamond to date. The Lesedi la Letseng revealed a 102 carat round shaped, D colour internally flawless diamond, making it the largest round shaped D colour polished diamond ever to be graded D, IF, by the Geomological Institute of America (GIA). The total number of diamonds recovered greater than a 100 carats is now over a hundred. The Letseng mining lease has recently been renewed for an effective 20 years, which bodes well for all stakeholders.
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