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

Smith & Nephew appoints Ajay Dhankhar as chief corporate development & strategy officer
(Sharecast News) - Medical technology company Smith & Nephew said on Monday that it has appointed Ajay Dhankhar as chief corporate development & strategy officer with immediate effect.
Oxford Biomedica acquires last 10pc stake in US subsidiary
(Sharecast News) - Oxford Biomedica said on Monday it has acquired the remaining 10% stake in its US subsidiary, OXB US, from Q32 Bio, bringing its ownership of the business to 100% as previously planned.
PPHE acquiring prime London site for hotel development
(Sharecast News) - PPHE Hotel Group has announced the acquisition of a prime development site near the City of London, where it plans to build its first Radisson RED select service hotel in the capital.
Norcros to end tile production in South Africa
(Sharecast News) - Norcros announced on Monday that it will shut down manufacturing at Johnson Tiles South Africa at the end of June, following the conclusion of a strategic review.

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.