Lesotho

In 2024, Lesotho was the world's eighth-ranked producer of gem-quality natural diamond, accounting for about 1% of global production. Other mineral commodities likely produced in the country included clay, gravel, sand, semiprecious gemstones, and stone, but available information was inadequate to make reliable estimates of output. The mining and quarrying sector contributed about 7.3% or \$166 million to the country’s nominal gross domestic product. Diamond accounted for 23.8% of the total value of all Lesotho’s exported goods and was the second-ranked export product in the country in terms of value. The majority of diamonds were exported to Belgium and France. 

The legislative framework for the minerals sector in Lesotho is largely provided by the Mines and Minerals Act 2005, the Mines and Mineral (Amendment) Act 2022, the Minerals and Mining Policy of 2015, the Mine Safety Act 1981, and the Precious Stones Order 1970 (No. 24/1970). The Ministry of Natural Resources is responsible for the regulation of Lesotho's mineral sector. Diamond was primarily produced by foreign private companies. The contribution of the artisanal and small-scale mining industry to total diamond production in 2024 was unknown as of yearend. In 2024, the Liqhobong Mine, owned by the Liqhobong Mining Development Co. (Pty.) Ltd. of the United Kingdom, was placed in care-and-maintenance status owing to low diamond prices, and Lucapa Diamond Co. Ltd. of Australia sold all its shares in Mothae Diamonds (Pty.) Ltd. to Lephema Executive Transport (Pty.) Ltd.