ZCDC achieves herd immunity against Covid-19
The country’s biggest diamond producer, the Zimbabwe Consolidation of Diamond Companies (ZCDC) vaccination program has been impressive with the company announcing that 99 per cent of its employees have received the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine with 97 per cent receiving the second jab. The country last month said its vaccination program has been […]
Future bright for Zim diamond production
The Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company posted a profit of US$26,35 million on production of 151,3kg of diamonds for the first half of this year, with profits being just over 40 percent of the diamonds sold. According to a report to Parliament, the company made a profit of US$26 356 890 and states that it is […]
Mining sector exempted from Lockdown provisions
The mining industry in Zimbabwe is listed as an essential service and is exempted from some of the provisions of the recently introduced Statutory instrument 189 of 2021 of Public Heath containment and treatment order, 2021 (no 29). Mining companies and employees are exempted in terms of SI200 of 2020 section 14 (1) B. The […]
Huge 1,174-carat diamond unearthed in Botswana
An enormous 1,174-carat diamond has been unearthed in Botswana, a mining company has said, the second massive diamond to be found in the country in the space of a few weeks. The rare rock was recovered at the Karowe diamond mine last month and presented to the government in a ceremony on Wednesday. It is […]
Diamond prices firm amid optimistic outlook
Robust retail sales are driving positive sentiment in the diamond market. Polished prices continue their upward momentum even as inventory levels gradually rise in some sizes. Steady demand, shortages in certain categories and high rough costs are supporting prices. The RapNet Diamond Index (RAPI™) for 1-carat diamonds climbed 2.7% in June.RAPI for 0.30- and 0.50-carat […]
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. […]