Plizio Visual Lab

Karowe Diamond Mine

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Industrial site

Weather…

The Karowe Diamond Mine, owned by the Canadian firm Lucara Diamond Corp., has achieved global renown since its commissioning in 2012 as a prolific producer of exceptionally large, high-quality Type IIa diamonds. Located in the Central District of Botswana, the mine extracts ore from the AK06 kimberlite pipe, a geological formation noted for its unique diamond size distribution. Karowe is responsible for some of the most historic diamond finds in modern times, including the 1,109-carat 'Lesedi La Rona' and the massive 1,758-carat 'Sewelô,' which stands as the second-largest rough diamond ever unearthed. A pioneer in diamond recovery technology, Karowe was the first to implement large-scale X-ray Transmission (XRT) sorting, a technique that identifies and protects large stones from damage during the crushing process. Beyond technical innovation, Lucara has revolutionized the market through CLARA, a digital sales platform that matches rough diamonds directly to manufacturers' needs, enhancing price transparency and efficiency. The mine is currently undergoing a significant transition from open-pit to underground operations, a multi-hundred-million-dollar expansion project that is set to extend its operational life until at least 2040. This investment ensures continued high-value exports for Botswana and long-term employment for the local workforce, while maintaining industry-leading environmental and social governance standards in the Letlhakane region.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is May, Aug, Sep.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	27	27	25	23	19	16	16	19	23	27	28	28
Rain mm	88	72	48	21	3	7	0	0	4	22	50	80

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?

The Karowe Diamond Mine is world-famous for producing exceptionally large and high-quality diamonds. It is located near Letlhakane and is a key economic factor for Botswana.

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Visiting

The mine is not open to the public, but guided bus tours are organized from nearby towns. Tours are usually limited to the dry season and require advance booking.

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Where to view it

During guided tours, from certain viewpoints on the site you can see the open pit. The open pit is impressive, and heavy machinery can be seen at work.

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Local products

Diamonds are not sold directly on site, but in Letlhakane there are jewelry stores with certified stones. Local markets also offer traditional Botswanan crafts such as baskets and wood carvings.

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Active season

Mine operations run year-round, with peak extraction in the dry winter months from May to September. During the rainy season, heavy rainfall may temporarily affect production.

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Nearby

A visit to the Karowe Mine can be combined with a safari to the Makgadikgadi salt pans. Letlhakane town itself has a lively market and is a good starting point for exploring the Kalahari.