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This is Botswana's president holding what could be the second-largest rough diamond ever discovered.
这是博茨瓦纳总统拿着可能是迄今为止发现的第二大钻石原石的一幕。
It was found at the Karowe mine in Botswana, says Canada's Lucara Diamond Corp, which presented the gem to Mokgweetsi Masisi on Thursday.
加拿大卢卡拉钻石公司称，这颗钻石是在博茨瓦纳的Karowe矿场发现的，该公司于周四将这颗钻石交给了博茨瓦纳总统莫克维齐·马西西。
Lucara say it weighs 2,492 carats. That would make it second in size only to the 3,106-carat Cullinan Diamond - found in 1905 and now part of the British crown jewels.
卢卡拉钻石公司称，这颗钻石重达2492克拉。其重量仅次于1905年发现的、现在是英国王冠一部分的3106克拉的卡利南钻石。
Masisi used the occasion of the latest discovery to emphasize the importance of mining for the country.
马西西利用这一最新发现的机会，强调了采矿对博茨瓦纳这个国家的重要性。
"They mean everything to us in the good times and the bad times. Diamond prices are going through a very difficult time right now but yet every diamond remains precious and valuable."
“无论是好的时候还是不好的时候，它们都是我们的一切。钻石价格正在经历一段非常艰难的时期，但每一颗钻石都是珍贵的。”
Botswana is the world's biggest diamond producer by value.
博茨瓦纳开采的钻石的价值是世界上最大的。
They contribute up to 40% of government revenue, 75% of its foreign exchange earnings and a third of national output.
钻石产业为政府贡献了高达40%的收入，占据了75%的外汇收入和三分之一的国民产出。
And that's why Botswana's economy has been disproportionately hit by a drop in demand.
这就是为什么博茨瓦纳的经济受到了钻石需求下降的严重打击。
Masisi has previously called synthetic gems a threat to the economic lifeblood of the country.
马西西此前曾称合成宝石是对该国经济命脉的威胁。
And his government has been seeking to get more revenues from its resources.
他的政府一直在寻求从该国钻石资源中获得更多收入。
That includes its intention to renegotiate its proposed purchase of a stake in Belgian gem dealer HB Antwerp, to double the size of its shareholding without extra cost.
这其中包括对收购比利时珠宝商HB Antwerp部分股权的计划进行重新谈判，以便在不增加额外成本的情况下，将所持股份规模扩大一倍。
