Australian diamond company Lucapa Diamond Co Ltd recently announced that it has sold its 70% ownership of the Mothae Kimberlite Mine in Lesotho. CEO Nick Selby confirmed the strategic decision after a comprehensive review, selling the stake to Lephema Executive Transport (Pty) Ltd.
Mothae, located in Lesotho's Maluti Mountains, has been producing large, high-value diamonds since 2019 and is ranked second globally for the price per carat of kimberlite diamonds. Over six years, Mothae produced over 150,000 carats of diamonds from more than 6.1 million tons of ore, generating over $100 million in revenue.
Among the incredible finds are 13 diamonds over 100 carats, including a massive 213-carat Type IIA gemstone, and a handful of rare colored diamonds like a 38-carat fancy yellow, pink diamonds, and blue diamonds.
Chairman Stuart Brown noted that Lucapa is shifting focus to its core assets in Africa and Australia. The sale marks a strategic move for Lucapa—but what does it mean for the future of one of the world's most renowned diamond mines?