The Lerala Diamond Mine in central Botswana has reportedly been sold via an online auction for $8.1 million, a year after it was placed under provisional liquidation. However, buyer’s identity has not been revealed.

Botswana, the world’s largest diamond producer by value, has four privately-owned diamond mines outside of the Debswana joint venture with the government, but only one, Karowe, is currently operational, says a news report.

The mine, which was held by Australia’s privately-owned Kimberley Diamonds, reportedly has five million tonnes of probable reserves at a grade of 31-carats per 100 tonnes and folded due to high operating costs set against weak sales.

The auction included mining and water rights, five Kimberlite pipes ranging from 0.16 hectares to 2.35 hectares in area, a 200 metric tonnes per hour processing plant and a 4.2 megawatt diesel generator, among other assets. ($1 = 9.9602 pulas)

Source: Reuters