Letšeng

Gem Diamonds owns 70% of Letšeng Diamonds in partnership with the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho, which owns the remaining 30%. Operated by De Beers between 1977 and 1982, Letšeng reopened operations in 2004 and was acquired by Gem Diamonds in late 2006 for US$118.5 million.

The Letšeng Diamond 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.

Letšeng is characterised by extremely low grade ore (less than 2 cpht) and is well known for producing large diamonds, having the highest percentage of large diamonds (greater than 10.8 carats) of any kimberlite diamond mine, giving it the highest dollar value per carat of any kimberlite diamond mine.

Letšeng is renowned for its production of historic diamonds. The recently recovered 478 carat Leseli la Letšeng white diamond is the world’s 20th largest rough gem diamond and third significant recovery from the Letšeng Mine in as many years, following the 603 carat Lesotho Promise (14th largest) and the 493 carat Letšeng Legacy (18th largest) recovered in 2006 and 2007 respectively. Including the 601 carat Lesotho Brown, recovered in 1960 (15th largest), the Letšeng Mine has now produced four of the world’s 20 largest rough gem diamonds and the three largest gem diamonds recovered this century.

Letšeng processes ore from two kimberlite pipes as well as from existing stockpiles. The mine has the capacity to treat some 7 million tonnes of ore annually, which would produce approximately 100 000 carats.