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Mouse
Diamond: Big Diamond discovery in
Guinea.
Well call it luck or a gateway to adversity. A
young miner scourging the West African forests of Guinea stumbled upon a 182
carat stone. Four times the size of the famous Hope Diamond, these staggering
figures would have made any person proud of his discovery. But far from taking
pride in his discovery our young 25 year old miner has gone into hiding.
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Reason:
Everyone within close proximity of the stone
starting with the Government of Guinea to the
local traders and masses wants their pound of
flesh. This resulted in the Diamond being tucked
away deep in the vaults of Guinea's Central Bank.
No Pictures and No Comments were the one liners
used by
everyone.
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Mining
Industry officials confirmed that though the newly
dug stone was not flawless, it was well worth a
fortune in its rough state. Guinea's biggest
Diamond operators Aredor mining company say that
the find is worth millions of dollars. Roughly
shaped in a form similar to a computer mouse the
Guinea gem is 10 cm from tip to tip on its longest
side and 3 cm wide. Compared to this gem the famed
Hope Diamond stands at a mere 45.52 carats.
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Such
freelance discoveries have always brewed trouble in
Diamond rich West and Central African States. These
discoveries serve to put the finders and first-round
buyers challenging would be moneymakers in fast buck
frenzies. Finders are known to flee into exile rather
than bringing their wares into open market. Going back
to 2000 in Congo, the discovery of a 265 carat stone
resulted in its local buyer and finder being jailed for
one month. The stone was eventually auctioned off in
Israel for $13 to $20 million.
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Discussing on condition of anonymity, officials and diplomats
disclosed that the miner struck his shovel on the stone at a dig in southeast
Guinea, bordering Ivory Coast and Liberia. It was clear however that the stone
did not stay for long in the hands of the finder. It soon found its way in no
time to the capital, Conakry, where it was kept behind steel doors at the
guarded Central Bank.
"The finder had no choice but to hand it over. Fearing his life" said a western
diplomat stationed in the capital. Most people are reluctant to give the
whereabouts of the young miner.
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Ore and Gold
along with Diamonds are among the top exports of Guinea.
Although it is resource rich, Guinea is virtually
undeveloped where people survive on less than a dollar a
day. The biggest player , Aredor mining company uses
high dollar valued , heavy equipment and turns up about
an average of 30,000 carats each year.
On the
contrary small scale miners like our young bastion with
little more than just a shovel produce 300 to 400 carats
a year. The 182 carat stone was discovered at a site
owned by the government and leased to the miners.
Discussing on condition of anonymity, officials and
diplomats disclosed that the miner struck his shovel on
the stone at a dig in southeast Guinea, bordering Ivory
Coast and Liberia. It was clear however that the stone
did not stay for long in the hands of the finder. It
soon found its way in no time to the capital, Conakry,
where it was kept behind steel doors at the guarded
Central Bank.
"The finder had no choice but to
hand it over. Fearing his life" said a western diplomat
stationed in the capital. Most people are reluctant to
give the whereabouts of the young miner.
Ore and
Gold along with Diamonds are among the top exports of
Guinea. Although it is resource rich, Guinea is
virtually undeveloped where people survive on less than
a dollar a day. The biggest player , Aredor mining
company uses high dollar valued , heavy equipment and
turns up about an average of 30,000 carats each year.
On the contrary small scale miners like our
young bastion with little more than just a shovel
produce 300 to 400 carats a year. The 182 carat stone
was discovered at a site owned by the government and
leased to the miners.
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