World’s third largest diamond discovered in Botswana
Botswana’s president, Mokgweetsi Masisi, inspects Debswana’s find. Photograph: Monirul Bhuiyan/AFP/Getty Images The diamond firm Debswana has announced the discovery in Botswana of a 1,098-carat stone that it described as the third largest of its kind in the world. The company’s acting managing director, Lynette Armstrong, presented the stone, which was found on 1 June, to […]
ZCDC sees output rising 30% this year
ZCDC Chief Executive Officer Mr Mark Mabhudhu The biggest diamond miner in Zimbabwe said it will be able to increase production of rough gems by about 30% to 3 million carats this year thanks to improved mining methods. Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company’s mines in the east of the country have so far met […]
ZCDC calls for the end to child involvement in illegal mining
Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) earlier this month in an effort to stop the involvement of juveniles in illegal mining activities at the Chiadzwa diamond fields held an All Stakeholder Community Engagement meeting at Gandauta Secondary School in Chiadzwa to discuss possible ways to eradicate the problem. Many children allegedly ventured into illegal diamond mining […]
Africa’s diamond sector regains its sparkle
A year of lockdown restrictions took a heavy toll on diamond prices, but recovering demand is rekindling optimism in the industry. After a tough year, the African diamond industry is finally looking to the future with optimism again. In 2019, restrictions brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic decimated consumer markets, paralysed supply chains and led […]
Renewal of mining licences to undergo overhaul
Hon. Winston Chitando New regulations will soon be put in place to ensure registration and renewal of licences in the mining sector is only done by those with tax clearance and environmental impact assessment certification. Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando revealed this at a meeting with the Masvingo Provincial Taskforce last Sunday. […]
Zim 2021 large scale mining operations
Zimbabwe’s mining industry has become the leading horse towards the resuscitation of the economy. The mining industry has of late become the country’s largest foreign currency earner with nickel, gold and platinum group of metals leading in fetching the country the much-needed forex. The government through the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development has a […]
Botswana Diamonds prepares to re-enter Zim
Botswana Diamonds (BOD) says Zimbabwe is highly prospective and there are positive signs that the country is opening for business. The company is preparing to re-enter Zimbabwe and focus on both short-term production targets at Marange and advanced kimberlite pipe projects elsewhere in partnership with Vast Resources plc. “Our final area of interest is Zimbabwe, […]
Zim invites bids for venture capital partner to set up diamond processor
The Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) is offering a venture capital partnership to bidders willing to set up a diamond processing company. MMCZ plans to invest in a company that offers a return on investment within five years, according to a notice. Bids close on April 13. “In line with the Corporation’s strategic initiatives […]
How to solve the diamond industry’s great rift?
As the diamond industry begins to get back on its feet and look to a post-pandemic world, an internal issue is on the agenda that is threatening to boil over and requires urgent attention. In the 1980s and 1990s it was plagued by the bad press that came with the conflict or blood diamond furore. […]
Antwerp’s rough trade continues to boost recovery
Antwerp figures, released by the AWDC, indicate the trade in rough diamonds continues to boost recovery from the pandemic year, as rough trade even surpassed the February figures of 2020. January and February 2020 were the last months before the global outbreak of the COVID crisis, now exactly one year ago, when strong performances were […]