Lukas H. Lundin (pictured), the cofounder of the Lucara Diamond Co., died in Geneva on Tuesday following a 2-year battle with brain cancer. He was 64.
After graduating from the International School of Geneva, Lundin began his career in the mining sector in the early 1980s working alongside his father, Adolf H. Lundin. Along with brother Ian, he helped grow the Lundin Group of Companies into an energy and mining group that employs 15,000 people. The 11 companies that make up the Lundin Group of Companies have a combined market capitalization of more than $11 billion.
In 2007, Lundin cofounded Lucara Diamond Co. along with Eira Thomas and Catherine McLeod-Seltzer. He served as its director and chairman until May 2022.
In 2010, Lucara acquired the AK06 kimberlite in Botswana, which became the Karowe diamond mine. The Karowe mine, which began production in 2012, is known for its large, high-quality, Type IIa diamonds and is the only diamond mine in recorded history to have ever recovered three diamonds in excess of 1,000 carats each.
Founding partners Thomas and McLeod-Seltzer—who serve as Lucara’s CEO and one of its directors, respectively—said in a statement issued by Lucara that “Lukas will be remembered as a visionary, a man of true conviction who was never afraid to swim against the tide once the value of an opportunity became apparent.”
They hailed his “willing[ness] to take risks,” including developing and acquiring the Karowe diamond mine in Botswana and support for its latest underground expansion project.
“Africa was indeed one of Lukas’ favorite places and through his work with Lucara and the Lundin Foundation, he leaves a lasting legacy of positive economic development that will benefit generations to come,” they added. “We will deeply miss our intrepid and legendary leader, who will forever inspire us to be bold and think big.”
Lundin is survived by sons Harry, Adam, Jack, and William.
Photo via Twitter
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