Lucara’s Karowe Mine Delivers Strong 2025 Output as Underground Expansion Advances Toward 2038 Life Extension
Lucara Diamond Corp recorded a strong operational performance in 2025 at its Karowe Mine in Botswana, processing 2.79 million tonnes of ore and recovering 354,467 carats of diamonds.
The production included a significant number of large, high-value stones that continue to reinforce Karowe’s global reputation as a premier diamond source.
During the year, the mine recovered 772 “special” diamonds weighing more than 10.8 carats, representing 7.1% of total carats produced. It also yielded 31 diamonds exceeding 100 carats, including three exceptional stones weighing over 1,000 carats each.
Operations remained stable throughout the year, with no reported production disruptions, strikes, or lockouts.
Underground Expansion Reaches Key Milestones
A major focus for the company in 2025 was continued progress on the Karowe Underground Project (UGP), a long-term expansion designed to access deeper, higher-value portions of the orebody. The underground mine is expected to extend Karowe’s operational life to 2038.
The deposit has previously produced globally significant diamonds, including the 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona, the 549-carat Sethunya, and the record-breaking 2,488-carat Motswedi.
During the year, both the 776-metre production shaft and the 729-metre ventilation shaft reached their final depths. Significant progress was also made in underground lateral development, connecting key infrastructure and preparing access to the orebody.
The project maintained a strong safety performance, surpassing 2,000 days without a lost-time injury and recording a Total Recordable Injury Frequency Rate (TRIFR) of 0.56.
Outlook and Development Plans
Lucara is now advancing shaft equipping and further underground infrastructure development ahead of planned first production from the underground operation in 2028.
The Karowe Underground Project carries an updated capital estimate of US$779.2 million and remains central to Lucara’s long-term growth strategy and its goal of sustaining Karowe’s position among the world’s most important diamond mines.
According to Karowe General Manager Johane Mchive, the next phase will focus on shaft equipping, continued underground development, and preparation for ore extraction, while maintaining the project’s strong safety culture and operational discipline.
