Thursday, 28 June 2018

Israel to Polish Large Diamonds from China



Chinese diamond companies will send large stones for polishing at a new manufacturing facility in Israel, the Middle East nation’s industry body said.

Bourses in the two countries reached the agreement this week during a visit to Israel by Lin Qiang, president of the Shanghai Diamond Exchange. The new factory is due to open in January at the next International Diamond Week in Israel.

The deal is part of a wider memorandum of understanding Qiang signed with Yoram Dvash, his counterpart at the Israel Diamond Exchange. Under that MoU, the two nations’ diamond industries will also make offices and other trading spaces available for each other to use, and allow joint participation in educational courses, the Israel Diamond Institute said Wednesday. Both sides will also help each other develop their diamond industries.

“This is a very unusual situation, whereby Chinese diamantaires will send their large diamonds to be polished in Israel,” Dvash said. “It is testimony to the well-known expertise of the Israeli polishers and the technological advances of the industry here.”

Israel’s polishing sector has dwindled as lower costs have helped India increase its market share. However, cutting of bigger diamonds has largely remained in Israel due to local expertise, the country’s industry leaders claim. The IDE and the IDI are investing more than $3 million in the new large-stone manufacturing plant in the Ramat Gan bourse complex in an attempt to reinvigorate its polishing trade.

It will feature two cutting centers, spanning 1,100 square meters, and will employ about 150 polishers. The organizations expect the factory to yield thousands of polished stones per year from 5 carats upward.

Source: DCLA

Israel to Polish Large Diamonds from China



Chinese diamond companies will send large stones for polishing at a new manufacturing facility in Israel, the Middle East nation’s industry body said.

Bourses in the two countries reached the agreement this week during a visit to Israel by Lin Qiang, president of the Shanghai Diamond Exchange. The new factory is due to open in January at the next International Diamond Week in Israel.

The deal is part of a wider memorandum of understanding Qiang signed with Yoram Dvash, his counterpart at the Israel Diamond Exchange. Under that MoU, the two nations’ diamond industries will also make offices and other trading spaces available for each other to use, and allow joint participation in educational courses, the Israel Diamond Institute said Wednesday. Both sides will also help each other develop their diamond industries.

“This is a very unusual situation, whereby Chinese diamantaires will send their large diamonds to be polished in Israel,” Dvash said. “It is testimony to the well-known expertise of the Israeli polishers and the technological advances of the industry here.”

Israel’s polishing sector has dwindled as lower costs have helped India increase its market share. However, cutting of bigger diamonds has largely remained in Israel due to local expertise, the country’s industry leaders claim. The IDE and the IDI are investing more than $3 million in the new large-stone manufacturing plant in the Ramat Gan bourse complex in an attempt to reinvigorate its polishing trade.

It will feature two cutting centers, spanning 1,100 square meters, and will employ about 150 polishers. The organizations expect the factory to yield thousands of polished stones per year from 5 carats upward.

Source: DCLA

Wednesday, 27 June 2018

Indian jewellers set dazzling record with ring containing 6,690 diamonds



Two jewellers from India have broken the record of Most diamonds set in one ring, by setting a staggering 6,690 diamonds into an 18 karat rose gold structure, shaped like a lotus flower.

Vishal Agarwal and Khushbu Agarwal, both based in Surat, Gujarat, constructed the ring using a base component and 48 individual diamond encrusted petals.
The lotus ring weighs more than a golf ball, with a total weight of just over 58 grams.

It took six months to design and craft the intricate ring, which has been valued at $4,116,787 USD.

Vishal created the design for the ring, and Khushbu, who owns Hanumant Diamonds, funded and provided the resources for the ambitious project.

The ring was manufactured by Hanumant Diamonds artisans, based in Mahidarpura, Surat.

The lotus ring took the record from Savio Jewellery’s Peacock Ring which earned the record in 2015, with 3,827 cut diamonds.

The idea for Vishal and Khushbu’s creation came from them wanting to raise awareness about importance of water conservation.

They decided to use their work to generate awareness and settled on a lotus flower design because it is the national flower of India, and because it depicts “the beauty growing in the water-world”.

Source:DCLA 

Indian jewellers set dazzling record with ring containing 6,690 diamonds



Two jewellers from India have broken the record of Most diamonds set in one ring, by setting a staggering 6,690 diamonds into an 18 karat rose gold structure, shaped like a lotus flower.

Vishal Agarwal and Khushbu Agarwal, both based in Surat, Gujarat, constructed the ring using a base component and 48 individual diamond encrusted petals.
The lotus ring weighs more than a golf ball, with a total weight of just over 58 grams.

It took six months to design and craft the intricate ring, which has been valued at $4,116,787 USD.

Vishal created the design for the ring, and Khushbu, who owns Hanumant Diamonds, funded and provided the resources for the ambitious project.

The ring was manufactured by Hanumant Diamonds artisans, based in Mahidarpura, Surat.

The lotus ring took the record from Savio Jewellery’s Peacock Ring which earned the record in 2015, with 3,827 cut diamonds.

The idea for Vishal and Khushbu’s creation came from them wanting to raise awareness about importance of water conservation.

They decided to use their work to generate awareness and settled on a lotus flower design because it is the national flower of India, and because it depicts “the beauty growing in the water-world”.

Source:DCLA 

Tuesday, 26 June 2018

De Beers rough diamond sight grows to $575m



Anglo American’s De Beers the world’s largest rough diamond producer by value, sold $575 million worth of rough diamonds at the fifth sight of this year.

The value is a 6% increase from the $541m sight in the same period last year and 3.7% higher than the $554m sight last month.

De Beers has increased efforts in recent months to find a way to verify the source of diamonds and ensure they are not from conflict area where rough diamonds may have been used to finance violence.

Last month De beers announced it would start selling jewellery made with laboratory grown diamonds.

Source: DCLA

De Beers rough diamond sight grows to $575m



Anglo American’s De Beers the world’s largest rough diamond producer by value, sold $575 million worth of rough diamonds at the fifth sight of this year.

The value is a 6% increase from the $541m sight in the same period last year and 3.7% higher than the $554m sight last month.

De Beers has increased efforts in recent months to find a way to verify the source of diamonds and ensure they are not from conflict area where rough diamonds may have been used to finance violence.

Last month De beers announced it would start selling jewellery made with laboratory grown diamonds.

Source: DCLA

Monday, 25 June 2018

CNN not worth watching


CNN not worth watching


CAR Welcomes Progress Made At KP Intersessional Meeting



During the Intersessional Meeting of the Kimberley Process which took place from 18 to 22 June in Antwerp, the Central African Republic made substantial progress with the European Union Chair Hilde Hardeman and South Africa, Chair of the Working Group of the Monitoring Team, the CAR said in a statement. 

Notably, the Monitoring Team of the Central African Republic has agreed on shorter clearance deadlines for the export of diamonds. The approval procedures in the CAR must now be concluded within 7 days while still securing compliance with the Kimberley Process.

Sipho Manese, Chair of the Working Group of the Monitoring Team, declared at the closing ceremony of the intersessional meeting: “We are happy to announce that thanks to the expertise of the CAR Monitoring Team and all of its members, we have been able to agree on procedures for the processing of shipments which will only take place over a period of 7 days. […] We were therefore successful in cutting down the clearance time from 2 weeks to 7 days.”

Manese further noted that all parties involved will have to strictly adhere to these procedures.
Leopold Mboli Fatran, CAR Minister of Mines and Geology attended the meeting as a representative of the sector for his country and said “I am very satisfied with the progress made at the intersessional meeting. The discussions were very fruitful and so were the solutions agreed upon.” The Minister added that “2018 is a crucial year for the Kimberley Process and for the Central African Republic as the country is at a deciding stage in the reform of its diamond sector.” 

The CAR Delegation was reinforced by the presence of Peter Meeus, special advisor to the President and to the Minister of Geology and Mines, whose mandate is to assure proper due diligence processes within the CAR mining sector. This mandate was conferred to him with a presidential decree dated June 2, 2018. 

The Minister of Mines and Geology also indicated his willingness to host an Expert Mission in the CAR so that the controls that have been put in place in the country in compliance with the Kimberley Process can be properly assessed.

The Central African Republic will continue to improve compliance with the Kimberley Process in close collaboration with the EU KP Chair, South Africa who leads the Monitoring Working Group as well as with the United States which leads the CAR Monitoring Team.

Source:DCLA

CAR Welcomes Progress Made At KP Intersessional Meeting



During the Intersessional Meeting of the Kimberley Process which took place from 18 to 22 June in Antwerp, the Central African Republic made substantial progress with the European Union Chair Hilde Hardeman and South Africa, Chair of the Working Group of the Monitoring Team, the CAR said in a statement. 

Notably, the Monitoring Team of the Central African Republic has agreed on shorter clearance deadlines for the export of diamonds. The approval procedures in the CAR must now be concluded within 7 days while still securing compliance with the Kimberley Process.

Sipho Manese, Chair of the Working Group of the Monitoring Team, declared at the closing ceremony of the intersessional meeting: “We are happy to announce that thanks to the expertise of the CAR Monitoring Team and all of its members, we have been able to agree on procedures for the processing of shipments which will only take place over a period of 7 days. […] We were therefore successful in cutting down the clearance time from 2 weeks to 7 days.”

Manese further noted that all parties involved will have to strictly adhere to these procedures.
Leopold Mboli Fatran, CAR Minister of Mines and Geology attended the meeting as a representative of the sector for his country and said “I am very satisfied with the progress made at the intersessional meeting. The discussions were very fruitful and so were the solutions agreed upon.” The Minister added that “2018 is a crucial year for the Kimberley Process and for the Central African Republic as the country is at a deciding stage in the reform of its diamond sector.” 

The CAR Delegation was reinforced by the presence of Peter Meeus, special advisor to the President and to the Minister of Geology and Mines, whose mandate is to assure proper due diligence processes within the CAR mining sector. This mandate was conferred to him with a presidential decree dated June 2, 2018. 

The Minister of Mines and Geology also indicated his willingness to host an Expert Mission in the CAR so that the controls that have been put in place in the country in compliance with the Kimberley Process can be properly assessed.

The Central African Republic will continue to improve compliance with the Kimberley Process in close collaboration with the EU KP Chair, South Africa who leads the Monitoring Working Group as well as with the United States which leads the CAR Monitoring Team.

Source:DCLA

Sunday, 24 June 2018

Losses Grow at South Africa’s Trans Hex



Trans Hex Group’s losses widened 2% to $13.9 million in the past fiscal year, reflecting the termination of its Lower Orange River mining operations.

The company halted production at the unprofitable LOR division in South Africa in October, and agreed in April to sell the assets to a firm called Lower Orange River Diamonds.

Revenue from LOR fell 54% to $15.3 million due to the mines Baken and Bloeddrif being on care and maintenance for a large part of the financial year ending March 31.

 Losses at the discontinued operations grew 81% to $15.9 million from $8.7 million last year.

Sales at Trans Hex’s continuing operations West Coast Resources in South Africa and Somiluana in Angola more than doubled to $14.3 million .

The miner recorded a $2 million profit at those assets, compared with a loss of $4.9 million a year ago.

Source: DCLA

Losses Grow at South Africa’s Trans Hex



Trans Hex Group’s losses widened 2% to $13.9 million in the past fiscal year, reflecting the termination of its Lower Orange River mining operations.

The company halted production at the unprofitable LOR division in South Africa in October, and agreed in April to sell the assets to a firm called Lower Orange River Diamonds.

Revenue from LOR fell 54% to $15.3 million due to the mines Baken and Bloeddrif being on care and maintenance for a large part of the financial year ending March 31.

 Losses at the discontinued operations grew 81% to $15.9 million from $8.7 million last year.

Sales at Trans Hex’s continuing operations West Coast Resources in South Africa and Somiluana in Angola more than doubled to $14.3 million .

The miner recorded a $2 million profit at those assets, compared with a loss of $4.9 million a year ago.

Source: DCLA

Thursday, 21 June 2018

The De Beers Retail division removes diamond from the name



De Beers public brand identity, has been renamed ”De Beers Jewellers” to reflect the companys retail chain.

De Beers acquired fully the formerly known De Beers Diamond Jewellers in 2017. Which was a partnership with LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton.

The London headquartered retailer announced Stephen Lussier, as De Beers executive vice president for marketing in charge of the operation.

Source:DCLA

The De Beers Retail division removes diamond from the name



De Beers public brand identity, has been renamed ”De Beers Jewellers” to reflect the companys retail chain.

De Beers acquired fully the formerly known De Beers Diamond Jewellers in 2017. Which was a partnership with LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton.

The London headquartered retailer announced Stephen Lussier, as De Beers executive vice president for marketing in charge of the operation.

Source:DCLA

Wednesday, 20 June 2018

Lucara Sells Two Huge Diamonds at $32M Tender



Lucara Diamonds have sold two exceptional large rough diamonds at the $32.5 million tender.

The tender included a 327 carat rough diamond that sold for over $10 million USD.

Lucara said the 10 stones ranging from 40.4 carats to a 472.37 carat rough stone a combined 1,453.06 carats, sold for an average price of $22,356 per carat.

The top seller was the 327.48 carat white diamond, which earned $30,900 per carat total $10.1 million.

Another exceptional size 472.37 carat light brown stone also sold but the miner has not publish its price.

Source: DCLA

Lucara Sells Two Huge Diamonds at $32M Tender



Lucara Diamonds have sold two exceptional large rough diamonds at the $32.5 million tender.

The tender included a 327 carat rough diamond that sold for over $10 million USD.

Lucara said the 10 stones ranging from 40.4 carats to a 472.37 carat rough stone a combined 1,453.06 carats, sold for an average price of $22,356 per carat.

The top seller was the 327.48 carat white diamond, which earned $30,900 per carat total $10.1 million.

Another exceptional size 472.37 carat light brown stone also sold but the miner has not publish its price.

Source: DCLA

Monday, 18 June 2018

Lucapa gets another $2 million from Lulo diamonds sale



Lucapa Diamonds said it had made USD $2 million after selling rough diamonds recovered at its prolific Lulo mine in Angola.

Sale has taken gross sales proceeds from the Angola based mine so far this year to $15.9 million.

Empresa Nacional de Diamantes and Rosas & Petalas, Lucapa all partners in th emine have sold 1,782 carats at an average price of $1,150 per carat.

The mine is  located 150km from Alrosa’s Catoca mine the world’s fourth largest diamond mine, hosts type 2a diamonds which account for less than 1% of global supply.

Angola is now the world’s forth largest diamond producer by value and sixth by volume.

Source:DCLA

Lucapa gets another $2 million from Lulo diamonds sale



Lucapa Diamonds said it had made USD $2 million after selling rough diamonds recovered at its prolific Lulo mine in Angola.

Sale has taken gross sales proceeds from the Angola based mine so far this year to $15.9 million.

Empresa Nacional de Diamantes and Rosas & Petalas, Lucapa all partners in th emine have sold 1,782 carats at an average price of $1,150 per carat.

The mine is  located 150km from Alrosa’s Catoca mine the world’s fourth largest diamond mine, hosts type 2a diamonds which account for less than 1% of global supply.

Angola is now the world’s forth largest diamond producer by value and sixth by volume.

Source:DCLA

Sunday, 17 June 2018

Petra Diamonds has secured $170 million to help lower debt



Shares in Petra Diamonds climbed around 5% on Wednesday after the South African miner said shareholders had approved a rights issue to raise about $170 million to help cut its debt burden.

Petra Diamonds has more than $600 million of debt it accumulated by building a new plant and digging deeper at its flagship Cullinan diamond mine.

Petra Diamonds is owner of the iconic Cullinan mine, where the world’s biggest ever diamond was found in 1905, has accumulated a hefty debt in the last 18 months as it borrowed heavily to expand its mines, known for some major recent findings,
Petra Diamonds has more than $600 million of debt it accumulated by building a new plant and digging deeper at Cullinan. Its lenders waived covenants for December 2017 and relaxed them for this year’s measurements.

Petra Diamonds also faced illegal mining at its operations, weak prices, a surging South African rand and setbacks in Tanzania, where the government seized last year a diamond parcel from it Williamson mine of about 71,000 carats.

The move, part of the country’s ongoing probe into alleged wrongdoing in the diamond and tanzanite sectors, has been costly for Petra, as it shares lost around half of their value last year after the incident.

Source: DCLA 

Petra Diamonds has secured $170 million to help lower debt



Shares in Petra Diamonds climbed around 5% on Wednesday after the South African miner said shareholders had approved a rights issue to raise about $170 million to help cut its debt burden.

Petra Diamonds has more than $600 million of debt it accumulated by building a new plant and digging deeper at its flagship Cullinan diamond mine.

Petra Diamonds is owner of the iconic Cullinan mine, where the world’s biggest ever diamond was found in 1905, has accumulated a hefty debt in the last 18 months as it borrowed heavily to expand its mines, known for some major recent findings,
Petra Diamonds has more than $600 million of debt it accumulated by building a new plant and digging deeper at Cullinan. Its lenders waived covenants for December 2017 and relaxed them for this year’s measurements.

Petra Diamonds also faced illegal mining at its operations, weak prices, a surging South African rand and setbacks in Tanzania, where the government seized last year a diamond parcel from it Williamson mine of about 71,000 carats.

The move, part of the country’s ongoing probe into alleged wrongdoing in the diamond and tanzanite sectors, has been costly for Petra, as it shares lost around half of their value last year after the incident.

Source: DCLA 

Wednesday, 13 June 2018

20ct. Flawless Diamond Leads Christie’s Sale



The exceptional 20.47 carat D colour type IIa old mine brilliant cut,  diamond has sold for USD $2.7 million.

The D flawless diamond was the top seller at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction in New York on Tuesday.

The Christie’s pre-sale estimate for the diamond was $2.5 million to $3.5 million.

Source: DCLA

20ct. Flawless Diamond Leads Christie’s Sale



The exceptional 20.47 carat D colour type IIa old mine brilliant cut,  diamond has sold for USD $2.7 million.

The D flawless diamond was the top seller at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction in New York on Tuesday.

The Christie’s pre-sale estimate for the diamond was $2.5 million to $3.5 million.

Source: DCLA

Monday, 11 June 2018

Thieves Steal 20ct. Diamond at Vegas Show



Two men stole a 20 carat diamond from an exhibitor’s booth at the JCK Las Vegas trade show, the Jewelers’ Security Alliance (JSA) said last week.

The men were able to slide open an unlocked display case on June 2 while employees were not looking, the organization alleged. One man then sat down at the booth and began speaking with an employee, while the second placed a catalog on top of the showcase. The second man then reached into the case and removed the stone.

The JSA has distributed pictures of both alleged thieves, but neither has been identified yet.

Image: Jewelers’ Security Alliance

Thieves Steal 20ct. Diamond at Vegas Show



Two men stole a 20 carat diamond from an exhibitor’s booth at the JCK Las Vegas trade show, the Jewelers’ Security Alliance (JSA) said last week.

The men were able to slide open an unlocked display case on June 2 while employees were not looking, the organization alleged. One man then sat down at the booth and began speaking with an employee, while the second placed a catalog on top of the showcase. The second man then reached into the case and removed the stone.

The JSA has distributed pictures of both alleged thieves, but neither has been identified yet.

Image: Jewelers’ Security Alliance

Wednesday, 6 June 2018

Botswana Diamonds picks up high potential kimberlite pipe in South Africa



Botswana Diamonds has been awarded the priority 2.5 ha Mooikloof kimberlite pipe concession. Using recently developed exploration techniques it will re-assess this high potential pipe.

The award of the Mooikloof Prospecting Licence is an important development for Botswana Diamonds.

Mooikloof was last prospected in 1986. The adjacent Oaks mine was owned and successfully operated by De Beers. The Oaks mine had a grade of 53 cpht at a value of $156 per carat.

The large flagship Venetia mine, operated by De Beers, is close by and in the same general geology.

Based on Botswana Diamond’s experience elsewhere, it suspects that past explorers may have systematically under estimated the kimberlite pipe size, grade and diamond quality of the Mooikloof kimberlite.

It will deploy state of the art exploration techniques to reassess the Mooikloof kimberlite, and maybe open another by passed kimberlite pipe development.

Botswana Diamonds has now received the Technical Economic Evaluation Report on the Thorny River Project.
The deposit is between 1.2 and 2 Mt, the grade is between 46 and 74 cpht and carat values between US$120 and $220 per carat.

The Technical Economic Evaluation Report indicated positive economics could potentially be achieved using the top end of the grade and value ranges, assuming additional kimberlite volume of similar grade and value can be defined with further exploration.

While not a Scoping Study as Botswana Diamonds had previously envisaged in the announcements dated 15 February 2018 and 21 March 2018, the Technical Economic Evaluation Report has provided the company’s directors with sufficient information to conclude that the Thorny River Project requires further investigation.

Consequently, the directors are considering the company’s various technical and commercial options, which will be studied simultaneously with ongoing exploration.

Drilling at Ontevreden confirmed the existence of a kimberlite pipe, but showed the pipe to be smaller than the previously indicated geophysical anomaly.

Given Botswana Diamond’s attractive priorities elsewhere, it now proposes no further work on Ontevreden.
“Significant progress has been made on our joint venture projects in South Africa,” comments Botswana Diamonds chairman, John Teeling.

“Analysis shows that a mine on the Thorny River deposit could be profitable assuming positive results from additional exploration. Now we must refine the volume, grade and value estimates while working on the mining model.

“But modern mineral exploration technology is not a magic bullet. Modern geophysics indicated a 0.7 ha pipe at Ontevreden. Our drilling confirmed a smaller pipe, which is not currently commercial”.

Source: miningreview

Botswana Diamonds picks up high potential kimberlite pipe in South Africa



Botswana Diamonds has been awarded the priority 2.5 ha Mooikloof kimberlite pipe concession. Using recently developed exploration techniques it will re-assess this high potential pipe.

The award of the Mooikloof Prospecting Licence is an important development for Botswana Diamonds.

Mooikloof was last prospected in 1986. The adjacent Oaks mine was owned and successfully operated by De Beers. The Oaks mine had a grade of 53 cpht at a value of $156 per carat.

The large flagship Venetia mine, operated by De Beers, is close by and in the same general geology.

Based on Botswana Diamond’s experience elsewhere, it suspects that past explorers may have systematically under estimated the kimberlite pipe size, grade and diamond quality of the Mooikloof kimberlite.

It will deploy state of the art exploration techniques to reassess the Mooikloof kimberlite, and maybe open another by passed kimberlite pipe development.

Botswana Diamonds has now received the Technical Economic Evaluation Report on the Thorny River Project.
The deposit is between 1.2 and 2 Mt, the grade is between 46 and 74 cpht and carat values between US$120 and $220 per carat.

The Technical Economic Evaluation Report indicated positive economics could potentially be achieved using the top end of the grade and value ranges, assuming additional kimberlite volume of similar grade and value can be defined with further exploration.

While not a Scoping Study as Botswana Diamonds had previously envisaged in the announcements dated 15 February 2018 and 21 March 2018, the Technical Economic Evaluation Report has provided the company’s directors with sufficient information to conclude that the Thorny River Project requires further investigation.

Consequently, the directors are considering the company’s various technical and commercial options, which will be studied simultaneously with ongoing exploration.

Drilling at Ontevreden confirmed the existence of a kimberlite pipe, but showed the pipe to be smaller than the previously indicated geophysical anomaly.

Given Botswana Diamond’s attractive priorities elsewhere, it now proposes no further work on Ontevreden.
“Significant progress has been made on our joint venture projects in South Africa,” comments Botswana Diamonds chairman, John Teeling.

“Analysis shows that a mine on the Thorny River deposit could be profitable assuming positive results from additional exploration. Now we must refine the volume, grade and value estimates while working on the mining model.

“But modern mineral exploration technology is not a magic bullet. Modern geophysics indicated a 0.7 ha pipe at Ontevreden. Our drilling confirmed a smaller pipe, which is not currently commercial”.

Source: miningreview

Tuesday, 5 June 2018

Zimbabwe Forecasts Surge in Diamond Output




Zimbabwe’s rough diamond production will more than triple to 11 million carats in 2025, according to the nation’s state-owned mining operation.

Output will grow at an average of 21% per year from 3 million carats in 2018, a spokesperson for the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) told Rapaport News Monday.

“This growth is anchored on investment of around $400 million across the entire diamond value chain in the next five years,” the spokesperson said.

In addition, the ZCDC named Killiam Ukama, an engineer, as the chairman of the ZCDC’s new board.

The ZCDC produced 1.8 million carats in 2017 from the controversial Marange diamond fields, where security forces killed more than 200 illegal workers in 2008. The company suspended sales for nine months last year as it carried out a restructuring, and resumed tenders in the first quarter of this year.

Source: diamonds.net

Zimbabwe Forecasts Surge in Diamond Output




Zimbabwe’s rough diamond production will more than triple to 11 million carats in 2025, according to the nation’s state-owned mining operation.

Output will grow at an average of 21% per year from 3 million carats in 2018, a spokesperson for the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) told Rapaport News Monday.

“This growth is anchored on investment of around $400 million across the entire diamond value chain in the next five years,” the spokesperson said.

In addition, the ZCDC named Killiam Ukama, an engineer, as the chairman of the ZCDC’s new board.

The ZCDC produced 1.8 million carats in 2017 from the controversial Marange diamond fields, where security forces killed more than 200 illegal workers in 2008. The company suspended sales for nine months last year as it carried out a restructuring, and resumed tenders in the first quarter of this year.

Source: diamonds.net

Tiffany Buys Back Titanic Watch for Record $1.97m

Tiffany & Co paid a record $1.97m for a gold pocket watch it made in 1912, and which was gifted to the captain of a ship that rescued mo...