Lucara Diamond Corp. said it has recovered a 1,758 carat diamond from its 100% owned Karowe Diamond Mine located in Botswana. The company stated that one of the largest diamonds in recorded history, the largest diamond recovered in Botswana, and the largest diamond to be mined at Karowe to date, the unbroken stone was recovered through its state of the art XRT circuit, commissioned in April 2015. Weighing close to 352 grams and measuring 83mm x 62mm x 46mm, the diamond has been characterised as near gem of variable quality, including domains of high-quality white gem. Further detailed analysis is ongoing. Lucara’s…
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De Beers Group says Nancy Liu will become the new Forevermark CEO, stepping up from her current role as COO and taking over the day to day responsibility for the leading diamond brand. Stephen Lussier, Executive Vice-President of Consumer & Brands for De Beers Group, will continue to oversee the strategic role Forevermark plays within the Group’s brand portfolio as Forevermark Chairman. However, by stepping away from the day to day accountability for Forevermark, Stephen will be able to increase his focus on shaping De Beers Group’s strategy at the consumer level. Stephen Lussier said: “This is a moment of…
A remarkable oval shaped blue diamond weighing over 20 carats, has today been unveiled to the world by Okavango Diamond Company (ODC) in Gaborone, Botswana – the biggest blue diamond discovery ever made in Botswana. The Botswana sourced, natural diamond’s striking colour has been graded as a Type IIb ‘Fancy Deep Blue’. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA), has graded the diamond as an Oval Brilliant Cut, VVS2 clarity making it one of the highest polished colour classifications attainable for any blue diamond and at 20.46 carats it sits in the very top bracket of all-time historical blue diamond finds.…
Majwe Mining Joint Venture (Pty) Ltd, a company contracted by the Debswana Diamond Mining Company (Pty) Ltd at Jwaneng Mine for the Cut 9 project says it has noted, with great concern, the use of its name in a scam aimed at swindling people through the promise of amongst others: unfounded job placements; the sub-contracting of housing; catering supply and service contracts; and general procurement at the company. “It has been brought to the company’s attention that individuals have been targeting the public by ways of floating advertisements or calling unsuspecting people claiming to be working for Majwe Mining or…
De Beers has released Cycle 3 2019 provisional sales value that represents sales at 8 April 2019 which showed a continued stability in the market. According to the company, $575 million worth of diamonds were sold during the period. “As we move into the second quarter of the year, we saw a continuation of stable demand for our rough diamonds during the third cycle of 2019,” Bruce Cleaver, CEO, De Beers Group, said. The figures are an improvement from $496 million actual sales during Cycle 2, 2019 and better than Cycle 3 2018’s $524 million. Cycle 3 2019 provisional sales value represents…
Rio Tinto has published its latest Taxes paid report detailing the $6.6 billion of taxes and royalties paid globally in 2018, up from $5.1 billion in 2017. The report also outlines Rio Tinto’s direct economic contribution of $42.8 billion during 2018. Australia accounted for the largest portion of the taxes and royalties paid ($4.8 billion), with significant amounts also paid in Canada ($386 million), Chile ($332 million), the United States ($331 million), Mongolia ($308 million), Europe ($146 million) and Africa ($132 million). Rio Tinto chief financial officer Jakob Stausholm said “The taxes we pay to national, regional and local governments…
Rio Tinto has approved the next stage in the development of Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) in South Africa through the construction of the Zulti South project. The $463million (Rio Tinto share $343 million) investment will sustain RBM’s current capacity and extend mine life. RBM currently operates four mines in the Zulti North lease area, a mineral separation plant and smelting facility. The Zulti North orebody grade is declining, hence the Zulti South mine is required to maintain the output of high-margin zircon and rutile, and provide sufficient ore to support TiO2 sales.The Zulti South mine (Phase 1) will underpin RBM’s…
Firestone Diamonds plc has announced the recovery of a 72 carat yellow, makeable diamond from its Liqhobong Mine in Lesotho, during the past weekend. The 72 carat diamond was recovered together with a 22 carat makeable white stone, followed by an 11 carat fancy light-pink stone. These diamonds will go on sale at the next tender which is scheduled to take place during May 2019. This is the second c.70 carat stone recovered from the operation this calendar year, following the 70 carat white, makeable which was sold in the March auction at a record overall price for a Liqhobong diamond.…
Ghanzi will come alive this Easter holidays with a 3 day event that starts on Good Friday and ends spectacularly on Easter Sunday. The event dubbed Ghanzi Easter Extravaganza will see a plethora of top artists and djs dishing out top entertainment throughout the 72hrs. The events will be held at the popular Ghanzi Meat fest Farm which is easily accessible to all clients and patrons. The event kick-starts on Friday with a night of eclectic music headlined by Ghanzi’s own live band Obligatto and the Original stars. The well-liked band has previously won the Presidential competition as the Best…
Botswana Diamonds (BOD) the AIM and BSE listed explorer has completed intensification drilling programme on the farms Frischgewaagt and Hartbeesfontein which form part of the Thorny River project. According to the company, “the purpose of this drilling programme was to enable detailed planning for a bulk sampling (mining) programme, which will commence after the necessary regulatory approvals have been received; these are expected during the course of Q2 2019”. This programme comprised 33 holes and 1,282 meters of drilling which, together with previous work, has resulted in a total drilled depth of 3,299 meters in five areas on the two…