Lesotho MP Sam Rapapa is from Mapoteng, an area of Lesotho where illegal cannabis production is commonplace. The diamond gets its name from its country of origin, the tiny Kingdom of Lesotho, inside South Africa, where the diamond was discovered at the Letseng diamond mine, high in the mountains of the tiny nation. Most of the world's natural gem-quality diamonds are mined in countries where citizens do not purchase a lot of diamond jewelry. The drop in the value of diamonds on the world market meant that the value of diamond exports decreased by 20.68 percent in 2009 compared to 2008. A friend lost his 4x4 and R500,ooo in Lesotho. ... is still illegal. 3 min read. July 3, 2020 3 min read. The stone, found in the Letseng mine in Lesotho, is the fifth-largest gem-quality diamond ever found, and the largest in Lesotho’s history. 488 were here. The largest diamond found in Sierra Leone, and the third largest diamond in the world, was a 969.8 carat (194 g) rough diamond. The return of the bloody diamonds: Miners at gunpoint in Zimbabwe. A consignment of diamonds worth around 28 million euros ($33.4 million) was seized at the country's main airport. The Letseng mine, in the Maluti mountains of Lesotho, is known for its large white diamonds. Mining Company. The case was postponed to 20 February 2021 pending further police investigations. Illegal import of rough diamonds into America. The D-colour, Type IIa white diamond is the fourth larger than 100 carat recovered from the southern lobe of the Mothae mine. Although sex trafficking is illegal, it is flourishing in Lesotho today with women and children being the most vulnerable. All told, the Lesotho Promise yielded a total of 223.35 cts of D-color Flawless diamonds. Lucky to get away. Photos. Paid for the stock in Maseru but when he cross the border Lesotho police arrest him. As the primary military focus, diamond mining became a major fund-raising exercise. Diamond industrialist Ehud Arye Laniado is a man passionate about diamonds. There are many, many reasons why people smuggle diamonds yet they all have to with the "density of value" of diamonds which is unsurpassed by even gold or platinum. The family of Lesotho’s deputy minister of health, ’Manthabiseng Phohleli, is embroiled in a drug-smuggling scandal after police found more than three and half tonnes of cannabis worth M5-million in a truck belonging … It was found in 1972 and named the An-al of Sierra Leone. The 603-carat Lesotho Promise diamond was sold by tender in October 2006, for a sum of $ 12.4 million, and was purchased by SAFDICO, a subsidiary of the London based Graff Diamonds. Download Story. Ministry of Mining Lesotho. Letseng continued to give, producing three 450 ct-plus rough diamonds since the Lesotho Promise, including the 493 ct Letseng Legacy (2007) and the 478 ct Light of Letseng (2008), which yielded the 102.79 ct Graff Constellation (2009). The issue of illegal mining in Lesotho is also very serious as … Due to its poor customs control, Lesotho is regarded as the preferred point of entry for illegal diamond trading, especially for large parcels of illicit diamonds. Finding the black market pushing blood diamonds is as simple as logging on to Facebook. STAFF REPORTER. Three other large diamonds were found at the mine recently, following a 910-carat monster from another mine in Lesotho last year. Since the chaos of a 2013 coup in the Central African Republic, conflict diamonds … The pangolin skin is valued at about N$50 000 while the value and authenticity of the unpolished diamonds is yet to be determined by the police. The leading consumers of diamond jewelry include the United States, India, China, the European Union, Japan, Hong … Because these activities are illegal, it is near impossible to determine an exact value of economic impact on the industry and economy as a whole. A 910-carat diamond thought to be the fifth largest in the world has been found in the small southern African nation of Lesotho, diamond mining company Gem Diamonds said on Monday. And he has his own story. Five things about Lesotho: ... Diamonds and water are Lesotho… The Russian Federation called for decisive action to cut off the illegal trade in raw diamonds, which was financing conflicts, particularly, in Angola, Sierra Leone and … The economy of Lesotho is based on farming, livestock, and mining with diamonds being a prominent natural resource, along with water. The project has yet to be subjected to a systematic exploration and sampling programme. But diamond prices remain under pressure. Mules have been caught on their way to India as … Illegal export of rough diamonds. Another major problem facing Lesotho today is human trafficking and forced labor. Illegal mining, drugs fund thousands of criminals operating in Venezuela ... Lucapa finds another +100ct diamond at Lesotho mine. White stones of excellent quality are produced, and fancy pink diamonds (pictured) are sometimes found. Take the diamonds and his 4x4. Lesotho Diamond. Composite: David M Benett/Getty Images/Guardian Design College & University. 24 May, 2018 Deep inside the mountain kingdom of Lesotho lies untapped treasure that is attracting global diamond mining capital. Government Organization. Shivute said the suspects were allegedly found in possession of one pangolin skin and seven unpolished diamond stones. New York--Two large diamonds have been uncovered in Africa in as many weeks, putting an end to the drought of big diamond finds the industry seems to have been experiencing. Share | Diamond … Mining company Gem Diamonds Ltd. announced the recovery of a 114-carat rough diamond from its Letšeng mine in Lesotho on Friday. The region, near the border with Democratic Republic of Congo, has been tense since the Angolan government launched a drive in October to end widespread illegal mining for diamonds.