Skip Header
Important information: The value of investments can go down as well as up so you may get back less than you invest. Investors should note that the views expressed may no longer be current and may have already been acted upon. This is a third-party news feed and may not reflect Fidelity’s views.

Gem Diamonds finds 130-carat stone in Lesotho

(Sharecast News) - Shares in Gem Diamonds were given a boost on Wednesday after the Southern Africa-focused diamond miner announced the recovery of another giant gemstone from its Letšeng mine. The mine, one of the largest open pit diamond mines in the world situated in the Maluti Mountains of Lesotho, produced a 129.71-carat Type II white diamond last week, the company announced.

Type II diamonds have no measurable nitrogen or boron impurities, and these high-value, 100-carat-plus diamonds from Letšeng account for 70% to 80% of Gem Diamonds' annual revenue.

Letšeng, Gem's only operation after its Botswana underground mine Ghaghoo was placed on care and maintenance in 2017, has produced three of the 20 largest white diamonds ever recorded since Gem took ownership in 2006.

Recent discoveries include a 439-carat diamond recovered in 2020 which sold for $16.1m, and a 367-carat stone found in 2021 which sold for $9.6m.

Gem said earlier this month that 55,873 carats were recovered in the first half of 2024 from Letšeng. A total of 56,944 carats were sold, generating $77.9m in revenues (up 9% on last year) at an average price of $1,366 per carat.

The company is due to report its half-yearly results on Thursday.

The stock was up 1.4% at 13.71p by 0909 BST, its highest level since last October.

Share this article

Related Sharecast Articles

RBC Capital Markets nudges up target price on Lancashire Holdings
(Sharecast News) - Over at Canaccord Genuity, analysts hiked their target price on insurance firm Lancashire Holdings from 600p to 625p on Thursday following the company's "good" third-quarter earnings.
Seeing Machines to scale up China production
(Sharecast News) - Seeing Machines said in an update on Thursday that its driver and occupant monitoring technology was set to scale up production in China, following the success of its collaboration with automotive supplier Magna and a leading German car manufacturer, marking its largest automotive programme to date.
IAG to equip planes with Starlink Wi-Fi from next year
(Sharecast News) - International Airlines Group (IAG) has struck a deal to equip its aircraft with high speed wi-fi supplied by Starlink, with the service expected to start on long and short-haul routes next year.
LSEG strikes partnership with Nasdaq
(Sharecast News) - LSEG has struck a strategic partnership with America's Nasdaq, the owner of the London Stock Exchange confirmed on Thursday.

Important information: This information is not a personal recommendation for any particular investment. If you are unsure about the suitability of an investment you should speak to one of Fidelity’s advisers or an authorised financial adviser of your choice. When you are thinking about investing in shares, it’s generally a good idea to consider holding them alongside other investments in a diversified portfolio of assets. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.

Award-winning online share dealing

Search, compare and select from thousands of shares.

Expert insights into investing your money

Our team of experts explore the world of share dealing.