The Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Julius Daniel Mattai, has unveiled a staggering 391-carat diamond recovered by Meya Mining Company’s Tomra Coarse XRT sorter in the Kono District.

The remarkable find came to light on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, during underground operations at the Meya River Underground Mine. The company reported that the diamond, originally weighing over 500 carats, was extracted from a depth of 279 to 275 meters above mean sea level.

Following this initial discovery, Meya Mining Company continued to uncover additional diamonds in the same area. On Wednesday, August 21, the company recovered two more stones weighing 105 and 18 carats, respectively.

The 391-carat diamond, described as a “near gem piece,” is a significant addition to Sierra Leone’s reputation as a major diamond-producing nation. It is particularly noteworthy given its proximity to the 476-carat “Meya Prosperity” stone, which was discovered in November 2017 and sold to GRAFF for a staggering $16.5 million.

According to experts, the two stones are located within the same vertical zone, approximately 100 meters apart, suggesting the potential for further valuable discoveries in the region.