Two friends from Panna district struck unexpected fortune after discovering a 15.34-carat gem-quality diamond from a mine they had set up just 20 days ago. The diamond, estimated to be worth over Rs 50 lakh, has been deposited at the Diamond Office and will be auctioned soon. The lucky finders, Satish Khatik (24) and Sajid Mohammad (23) of Rani Ganj, had jointly secured a mining lease from the Diamond Office and were digging at the Krishna Kalyanpur mining belt when they unearthed the precious stone on Monday. On Tuesday, the duo officially submitted the diamond to authorities. Speaking to Dainik Bhaskar, the two friends said their first priority would be to use the amount to proceed with their sisters’ weddings, after which they plan to reinvest in new mines and grow their respective family businesses. Financial need drove them to try their luck Satish works with his father at a meat shop, while Sajid assists his father in their fruit business. Both have two sisters each, and the financial pressure of arranging their marriages motivated them to take a mining lease and test their luck. They confirmed that the auction amount would be shared equally. Three generations’ dreams fulfilled For Sajid’s family, the discovery is especially emotional. His grandfather, Mohammad Habib, mined for nearly 50 years but never found a diamond larger than one carat. His father, Nafees Mohammad, mined for about 20 years, but significant success eluded him. With this discovery, excitement and happiness have swept through the family after generations of struggle. How mining leases are issued on government land To obtain a mining lease on government land in Panna: Process for mining on private land For private-land mining: How diamonds are extracted Once a lease is issued, the Diamond Office allocates an 8×8 meter plot. Miners may work themselves or hire labour. Extraction involves: Any diamond found must be deposited with the Diamond Office. Government cuts 12% revenue share The auction process is conducted by the Diamond Office every three months. Large traders from Mumbai, Delhi, Gujarat, and Hyderabad participate. From the final auction price: 1. 12% is deducted by the government 2. The remaining amount goes to the finder, known locally as a Tuaadar. How diamond value is determined Diamond prices depend on: Panna typically yields E-grade gem-quality diamonds, used in jewellery. Industrial black diamonds, used in cutting and aviation, are cheaper. Diamond prices in Panna range from Rs 50,000 to Rs 15 lakh per carat. Diamond auctions in Panna since 1961 The Panna Diamond Office has been functioning since 1961, conducting auctions four times a year. Traders from across India attend these auctions. Before the sale: Post navigation Forest team nabs 7 with weapons in Mhow forests:Officials fear poaching, accused claim buried wealth search; patrolling beefed up 6 cops suspended for falsely implicating student:Mandsaur SP admits procedural lapses; High Court questions, ‘If the youth must wait 10 years for justice?’
