Sierra Leone government announces an offer of sale for the 709.48-carat diamond

The 709.48-carat diamond found by a pastor in Sierra Leone, is being put on sale as per reports. The Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources in Sierra Leone has announced an offer of sale by international tender, reports add.

The diamond is currently in the country’s central bank. The diamond can be viewed at the Bank of Sierra Leone between 29th March to 5th April 2017. Bidding documents are made available for purchase by paying a non-refundable fee of $ 5,000. A bid security of $50,000 is also required, reports add.

The diamond was discovered by the pastor in the Kono region. It was who presented it to President Dr Ernest Bai Koroma on March 15 by a local chief. Reports suggest that the President thanked the chief and his people ‘for not smuggling the diamond out of the country’ and mentioned the importance of selling such a diamond within the country, as it will clearly give the owners what is due them and benefit the country as a whole. The President assured that the selling process would be transparent and to the highest bidder, reports add.