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Karowe Mine

Karowe Mine is an openpit diamond mine located near Letlhakane in central Botswana. It is owned and operated by Lucara Diamond, a Canadian-listed diamond miner. The mine is known for producing large, high-value gem-quality diamonds, including some of the biggest rough diamonds ever recovered globally. Production relies on X-ray Transmission technology, which helps identify and recover large diamonds before they can be damaged by conventional crushing processes. Karowe has yielded several exceptional stones exceeding 1 000 carats, drawing international attention to Botswana's diamond sector. The mine forms a core part of Lucara's asset base and revenue generation. Chief executive William Lamb has overseen operations and strategic decisions at the mine during periods of notable diamond recoveries. Botswana's diamond industry, of which Karowe is a significant contributor, remains a major pillar of the country's economy and export earnings. The mine has been in commercial production since 2012. Ongoing underground expansion studies have been considered to extend the life-of-mine beyond the original openpit resource.

Karowe Mine News


Blue diamond
Belgian gem trader HB downsizes Botswana operations after failed supply deal
25th September 2026 By: Reuters

Belgian gem trader HB Antwerp is scaling back its Botswana operations after failing to secure rough diamond supplies from State-owned Okavango Diamond Company (ODC), a senior company official told... 


A Toro LH517i loader
Sandvik to supply underground mining fleet, financing to Lucara’s Karowe project
13th August 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

Multinational engineering company Sandvik has received orders from Lucara Botswana, a subsidiary of TSX-listed Lucara Diamond Corp, to supply a 15-unit fleet of underground drills and loaders,... 


An image of the Karowe mine
Lucara’s revenue falls on lower carat sales, UGP progresses with some delays
11th August 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Diamond miner Lucara Diamond Corp’s revenue for the second quarter ended June 30 decreased by 6% year-on-year to $41-million, largely owing to lower carat sales through tender and a lower average... 


A 1 305.4 ct diamond recovered at Lucara's Karowe mine
Karowe delivers its tenth diamond of over 1 000 ct
14th July 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Diamond miner Lucara Diamond Corp has recovered a 1 305.4 ct diamond from its Karowe mine, in Botswana, marking the tenth diamond weighing more than 1 000 ct to be recovered at the mine. "The... 


Karowe diamond mine
Lucara seeks TSX hardship exemption to push through C$165m rescue financing
20th January 2026 By: Darren Parker

Diamond producer Lucara Diamond Corp has applied to the TSX for a financial hardship exemption that would allow it to complete a deeply dilutive C$165-million private placement without shareholder... 


The Karowe underground project
Lucara to raise at least $70m in private placement to fund Karowe underground project
12th January 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Independent diamond producer Lucara Diamond Corp, which owns and operates the Karowe mine, in Botswana, is planning to raise $70-million in a private placement of about 437.5-million shares at a... 


Aerial view of the Karowe mine
Karowe underground expansion project, Botswana – update
5th December 2025 By: Sheila Barradas

Lucara Diamond Corporation has awarded a lateral development contract to Group R Mining and Exploration Botswana. 


Surface infrastructure at the Karowe mine
Lucara awards last major Karowe underground contract
2nd December 2025 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Canada-headquartered Lucara Diamond Corporation has awarded a lateral development contract for its Karowe underground project (UGP), in Botswana, to Group R Mining and Exploration Botswana. The... 


Polished diamonds
Diamond selling processes are outdated and hurting producers, trader says
18th September 2025 By: Reuters

The sale of diamonds through tenders and auctions is opaque and inefficient and should be revamped for producers to earn more and to survive the current price slump, a leading gem trader said on... 


Image of Karowe mine
Karowe underground expansion project, Botswana – update
5th September 2025 By: Sheila Barradas

Lucara Diamond Corporation has drawn $10-million from a $63-million limited shareholder standby undertaking to address funding needs. 


Lucara draws $10m from shareholder backing, highlights recent recoveries
Lucara draws $10m from shareholder backing, highlights recent recoveries
1st September 2025 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Toronto-listed Lucara Diamond has drawn $10-million from a $63-million limited shareholder standby undertaking to address funding needs at its Karowe underground project (UGP) in Botswana. The... 


Lucara recovers second 2 000 ct diamond at Botswana’s Karowe mine
Lucara recovers second 2 000 ct diamond at Botswana’s Karowe mine
29th August 2025 By: Mariaan Webb

Canada-headquartered Lucara Diamond has recovered its second diamond of more than 2 000 ct from the Karowe mine in Botswana, underscoring the asset’s reputation for producing some of the world’s... 


Lucara recovers second 2 000-ct diamond as funding pressures mount
Lucara recovers second 2 000-ct diamond as funding pressures mount
11th August 2025 By: Mariaan Webb

Canada-headquartered Lucara Diamond has recovered its second diamond of more than 2 000 ct from the Karowe mine in Botswana, underscoring the asset’s reputation for producing some of the world’s... 


South Africa needs more junior miners – Junior Indaba speakers
13th June 2025 By: Marleny Arnoldi

With South Africa’s share of global exploration expenditure in mining having dropped below 1% in recent years, the longevity of this legacy industry in the country depends on encouraging more... 


DRDGOLD CEO Niël Pretorius
South Africa needs more junior miners, Junior Indaba speakers say
28th May 2025 By: Marleny Arnoldi

With South Africa’s share of global exploration expenditure in mining having dropped below 1% in recent years, the longevity of this legacy industry in the country depends on encouraging more... 


Lucara has cautioned that the transition from openpit to underground operations will bring a difficult two-year period.
Lucara flags going concern risk on back of lower revenue
12th May 2025 By: Mariaan Webb

TSX- and BSE-listed Lucara Diamond has said there is “significant doubt” about its ability to continue as a going concern, after a drop in diamond sales and increased reliance on limited funding... 


UNDERGROUND SHIFT
Karowe's openpit operations (seen here) will continue until 2026, after which mining will shift predominantly to underground operations
Diamond miner refocuses underground project management
25th April 2025 By: Donna Slater

In the ongoing development of its Karowe underground project (UGP) in Botswana, diamond miner Lucara Diamond Corporation has terminated its engineering, procurement and construction management... 


Aerial view of Karowe underground mine
Karowe underground expansion project, Botswana – update
4th April 2025 By: Sheila Barradas

Lucara Diamonds has terminated its engineering, procurement and construction management contract with JDS Energy & Mining. 


Lucara transitions to owner-managed operations at Karowe UGP
Lucara transitions to owner-managed operations at Karowe UGP
1st April 2025 By: Mariaan Webb

Canada-headquartered Lucara Diamonds has terminated its engineering, procurement, and construction management contract with JDS Energy & Mining (JDS), effective March 31, as it transitions to... 


An image of workers excavating at Lucara’s Karowe mine
Underground development to reach final depths this year
28th March 2025

Underground development at diamond producer Lucara Diamond’s Botswana-based Karowe mine is expected to extend its operational life beyond 2040, with significant progress achieved in 2024,... 


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pqt: 0.195s - ct: 0.245s - 277pq - 2rq
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