Gem Diamonds’ Letšeng mine yields 212 carat stone

Africa focused miner Gem Diamonds has found yet another big precious stone at its prolific Letšeng mine in Lesotho, the third greater than 100 carat diamond mined in September.

The 212.91 carat Type II white diamond was recovered on September 19th, the company said on Monday. It is the thirteenth diamond over 100-carat unearthed this year at the operation, it noted.

Type IIa diamonds are the most valued and collectable precious gemstones, as they contain either very little or no nitrogen atoms in their crystal structure.

The Letšeng mine, owned 70% by Gem Diamonds, is one of the world’s ten largest diamond operations by revenue. At 3,100 metres (10,000 feet) above sea level, it is also one of the world’s most elevated diamond mines.

The operation has a track record of producing large, exceptional white diamonds, which makes it the highest-dollar-per-carat kimberlite diamond mine in the world.

Source: DCLA

Petra Diamonds Puts Itself Up for Sale

Financially troubled Petra Diamonds, which owns three diamond mines in South Africa and one in Tanzania, is putting itself up for sale.

Founded in 1997, Petra owns the Finsch, Cullinan, and Koffiefontein mines in South Africa, as well as the Williamson mine in Tanzania, which is currently under care and maintenance. All those properties were purchased from their original owner, De Beers.

Bidders can express interest in all or part of its assets. Rothschild & Co. is acting as strategic adviser of the transaction. So far, no offers have been received.

In March, the company launched a strategic review of its finances, particularly looking at the $650 million outstanding 7.25% senior secured notes that are due for repayment on May 1, 2022.

In its most recent financial results, for the third quarter ending March 31, revenue fell 32%, due in part to weak sales at its March tender, which was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Petra is not the only miner having trouble in the age of COVID-19. In April, Dominion Diamond filed for insolvency protection in Canada.

Source: DCLA

Petra Diamonds Puts Itself Up for Sale

Financially troubled Petra Diamonds, which owns three diamond mines in South Africa and one in Tanzania, is putting itself up for sale.

Founded in 1997, Petra owns the Finsch, Cullinan, and Koffiefontein mines in South Africa, as well as the Williamson mine in Tanzania, which is currently under care and maintenance. All those properties were purchased from their original owner, De Beers.

Bidders can express interest in all or part of its assets. Rothschild & Co. is acting as strategic adviser of the transaction. So far, no offers have been received.

In March, the company launched a strategic review of its finances, particularly looking at the $650 million outstanding 7.25% senior secured notes that are due for repayment on May 1, 2022.

In its most recent financial results, for the third quarter ending March 31, revenue fell 32%, due in part to weak sales at its March tender, which was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Petra is not the only miner having trouble in the age of COVID-19. In April, Dominion Diamond filed for insolvency protection in Canada.

Source: DCLA

Gem Diamonds sixth large rough diamond for this year

Gem Diamonds at an elevation of 3,100 meters above sea level, The Letšeng Diamond mine is one of the world’s highest diamond mines.

The Letšeng Diamond Mine is having an extraordinary year this far as the miner continues to recover rough diamonds larger than 100 carats at its mine in Lesotho.

On Wednesday, the company announced it had recovered a 152 carat  D colour type IIa diamond, the sixth exceptional large rough diamond so far this year.

Source: DCLA 

Gem Diamonds sixth large rough diamond for this year

Gem Diamonds at an elevation of 3,100 meters above sea level, The Letšeng Diamond mine is one of the world’s highest diamond mines.

The Letšeng Diamond Mine is having an extraordinary year this far as the miner continues to recover rough diamonds larger than 100 carats at its mine in Lesotho.

On Wednesday, the company announced it had recovered a 152 carat  D colour type IIa diamond, the sixth exceptional large rough diamond so far this year.

Source: DCLA