Historic Diamond Fields & Mines in the Central African Republic (CAR)

Berbérati–Carnot–Nola (BCN) — Western Alluvial Fields

CAR’s diamond story is rooted in extensive alluvial placers along the Mambéré–Sangha river system in the country’s southwest. The western towns of Berbérati, Carnot, and Nola formed the historic core of production, with artisanal miners working riverbeds, terraces, and paleo-channels since the mid-20th century. These placers are known for mixed run-of-mine goods, including occasional larger crystals from deep gravels. Sources: Wikipedia – Mining industry of the CAR · Berbérati · Carnot · Nola.

Boda & Lobaye — Southern River Placers

South of the capital, Boda (Lobaye Prefecture) hosts long-worked alluvial diggings along the Lobaye and its tributaries. Production here, as in the west, is dominated by small-scale and artisanal methods focused on river bars and elevated terrace gravels. Sources: Wikipedia – Boda · regional geology and mining summaries.

Bria / Haute-Kotto — Eastern Corridors

In the east around Bria (Haute-Kotto), artisanal miners work placers along the Kotto and related drainages. Output has varied with accessibility and security conditions; the area is widely cited in sector reports as an important but volatile alluvial corridor. Sources: Wikipedia – Bria · Kimberley Process country notes.

Other Prospects & Notes

While indicator minerals and scattered occurrences suggest primary sources in the region, CAR’s production remains overwhelmingly secondary (alluvial/eluvial). Historical records emphasize river-derived placers along the Mambéré, Sangha, Lobaye, Oubangui, and Kotto systems rather than commercially developed kimberlite pipes. Sources: national/regional geology summaries; GIA Africa overviews.

Production Today

CAR’s diamond sector is dominated by artisanal and small-scale mining. Reported volumes have fluctuated with market cycles and governance. Following a 2013 suspension from the Kimberley Process, exports resumed under an Operational Framework allowing shipments from designated compliant zones (primarily in the west). KP annual statistics track production and trade flows as conditions evolve. Source: Kimberley Process – Annual statistics & CAR framework.

CAR’s Notable Diamonds

Large Western Alluvial Roughs (unnamed)

Trade and tender reports periodically reference sizeable rough crystals from the Berbérati–Carnot–Nola belt and Boda, typically marketed without enduring names. As is common in alluvial districts, most high-profile stones are recorded by weight and parcel rather than by formal provenance branding. Sources: industry/tender reporting; Wikipedia – Mining industry of the CAR.

Eastern Corridor Stones (representative, unnamed)

Parcels from the Bria/Haute-Kotto corridor have included notable gem-quality crystals when conditions allowed organized sales, though few individual stones have been publicly named. Variability reflects both geology and access/logistics. Sources: sector reports; Kimberley Process notes on compliant vs. non-compliant zones.

Summary

The Central African Republic’s diamond narrative is defined by alluvial placers in the western BCN triangle and Lobaye (Boda) and by eastern corridors around Bria. Production is largely artisanal; exports operate under KP compliance frameworks. While the country has yielded many fine rough stones, most are sold without famous names, reinforcing CAR’s reputation as a classic river-diamond province rather than a kimberlite-mine producer.

Datasets: U.S. Geological Survey, Major Mineral Deposits of the World, Open-File Report 2005-1294. Data portal