Monday 27 January 2014

A 125-Carat Diamond Found in Sierra Leone

A 125-Carat Diamond Found in Sierra Leone

By DIB Online, 26 January 2014
A high-quality 125-carat octahedral diamond valued at US$818,000 was uncovered in November 2013 in Sierra Leone's Kono District, reports Awoko, citing the National Minerals Agency (NMA). The diamond, the largest find recorded in the country last year, was discovered in the district's Nimiyama chiefdom in the Masabendu village, and has already been exported, according to the news source.

This diamond exceptional maintain its original shape, and to be without any crack or inclusions/impurities, as was the case with this rare gem.
The NMA revealed that since an export tariff of 15 percent was imposed on diamonds with a value of US$500,000 or above in 2009, this was the largest diamond to be exported through official channels. According to the news source, the NMA confirmed that all legal procedures were followed in the buying and exporting of the diamond, and that the miner received a fair price for his find. Total royalty paid to the government was US$122,713.

In related news, in December 2013, a 23.56-carat diamond was found in the Kono District's Gbense Chiefdom, and a 13-carat diamond was found in the neighboring Tonkolili District, reports Awoko, which adds that both diamonds are in safe custody awaiting valuation and export.