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Lesotho
Lesotho is a constitutional monarchy, entirely surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. After gaining independence from Britain in 1966, Basutoland was renamed the Kingdom of Lesotho. Lesotho’s natural resources include hydropower, diamonds, sand, clay and building stone.
Key facts about Lesotho
- Full name:
- Kingdom of Lesotho
- Capital:
- Maseru
- Population:
- 2 128 180 (July 2008 est.)
- Area:
- 30 355 sq km
- Monetary unit:
- Loti (LSL); pegged to the South African rand (ZAR)
- Main exports:
- Diamonds, Wool and mohair, food, live animals
- Government:
- Parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Mineral regime
Diamonds are Lesotho's only significant mineral resource with 33 kimberlite pipes and 140 kimberlite dykes identified, of which 24 are diamondiferous. In 2005 a new mining law was enacted which provides government the option to acquire a greater than 20% interest in a mining operation. Mining licences are no longer automatically granted to owners of existing exploration permits but must be applied for separately.
© 2009 Gem Diamonds Limited