Diamond market sentiment was soft in March, after the Hong Kong and Basel shows failed to boost trading in a significant way. The first quarter was weaker than last year’s, with cautious retail inventory replacement after the holiday season. The RapNet Diamond Index (RAPI™) for 1-carat diamonds slid 0.2% in March, while RAPI for 0.30-carat fell 2.9%. RAPI for 1-carat declined 0.5% during the first quarter. The restocking that typically occurs in the first quarter was subdued this year. Jewelers were uncertain about 2019 prospects after a disappointing holiday season. Retailers are also becoming more efficient, with increased customisation and…
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Tlou Energy Limited, the ASX, AIM and BSE listed company has confirmed that it has been awarded a new coal bed methane prospecting licence by the Department of Mines at the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security in Botswana. The new licence, PL011/2019 designated “Boomslang” is valid for an initial term of 3 years. The licence area is approximately 1,000 Km2 and is situated adjacent to the company’s existing licences. The Boomslang area is located on-trend with the encouraging results observed to date at the Lesedi project and is considered to be highly prospective. “With initial development…
MOD Resources Ltd has announced a substantial upgrade to the Ore Reserve within the planned, 100% owned, T3 (Motheo) open pit mine or T3 Copper Project. The T3 Copper Project Feasibility Study, which incorporates this revised Ore Reserve, is nearing completion, is expected to be announced before the end of March 2019 and will provide further detailed information on the T3 Copper Project. According to the company, T3 open pit Ore Reserve increased to 34.4Mt at 1.0% Cu and 13.2 g/t Ag with Ore Reserve containing 342.7kt (~756mlb) of copper and 14.6 Moz of silver. There was a 61% increase…
Ten innovative companies that are revolutionising the energy, transport, and industrial sectors have been named as the 2019 New Energy Pioneers by BloombergNEF (BNEF). The winners are pursuing new opportunities in areas as diverse as EV charging, industrial digitalisation, and innovative manufacturing processes. The 2019 New Energy Pioneers have been unveiled at the BNEF Summit in New York. BNEF’s New Energy Pioneers recognise ground-breaking companies that are fueling the transition to a lower carbon economy and highlighting new ideas for business models, technologies, market structures and commercial opportunities. An independent panel of industry experts, assisted by BNEF’s analysts and technology specialists,…
Wilderness Air Botswana believes that flying is an important part of one’s safari experience and this begins on arrival at either Kasane or Maun Airport. The Lounge in Maun is based at the Wilderness Air offices and the Kasane Lounge is based in the Domestic Terminal Building. The business is thrilled to announce the opening of two new lounges in Kasane and Maun. Guests will have full access to the lounge facilities whilst waiting for their flights, and dedicated personnel will be on hand to ensure all guests’ needs and comfort are met. The lounges offer seating and dining facilities in its fully air-conditioned…
The Debswana Diamond Company, a 50/50 joint venture between the Government of the Republic of Botswana and De Beers Group, has announced the commencement of the Cut-9 project to extend the life of Jwaneng Mine, one of the world’s most valuable diamond mines. The project will extend the life of Jwaneng Mine to 2035, and is expected to yield an estimated 53 million carats of rough diamonds from 44 million tonnes of treated material. Debswana will invest approximately US$2 billion over the life of the project underpinning the partnership’s commitment to the future of Botswana’s diamond industry. The shareholders of…
Thiess through Majwe Mining Joint Venture (Majwe), has secured a A$1.7 billion contract at Debswana Diamond Company’s Jwaneng Mine Cut 9 project in Botswana. Majwe, a joint venture between Thiess (70 per cent) and long-term local partner Bothakga Burrow Botswana (30 per cent), will provide full scope mining services over nine years, including drill and on-bench services, mine planning, equipment maintenance, load and haul, and mining operations. This new volume-based contract follows Majwe’s successful completion of the Cut 8 project at the diamond mine in November 2018. CIMIC Group Chief Executive Officer Michael Wright said: “This new contract strengthens Thiess’…
Gem Diamonds has revealed that 2018 marked a very positive year for the company with strong operational and financial performance driving an improved cash position. The company stated that robust tender revenues achieved at Letšeng during 2018 were underpinned by strong operational results with a record 15 diamonds greater than 100 carats and an improved number of diamonds greater than 20 carats being recovered during the year. Gem revealed in its Full Year Results for the year ending 31 December 2018 that included in these recoveries, was the remarkable 910 carat Lesotho Legend that sold for US$40 million and contributed significantly towards…
Tlou Energy Limited says it has received confirmation that the technical stage of the Request for Proposal (RFP) for Development of CBM fuelled power plants in Botswana has been passed. Accordingly, the Botswana Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Board (PPADB) has approved the request from Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security (MMGE) to open the financial proposal in relation to the company’s gas to power tender. On 10 October 2018, Tlou Energy submitted its comprehensive response to the RFP for the Development of a Maximum of 100 MW of Coal Bed Methane Fuelled Power Plants in Botswana. “The…
The third installment of First Friday Comedy Nights is bringing non-stop laughter with funny local and international stand-up comedians at Masa Square Hotel. Having hosted Emmanuel Musaka from Zambia in February and South Africa’s multi-award winner Sifiso Nene in March, Major Moves Comedy is bringing Lesotho’s renowned comic Masapo Mpiti for the April show. The show which promises fireworks as the previous two is slated for Friday the 5 th of April at Masa Square Hotel in the CBD which is easily accessible to patrons. The show will be hosted by Onkgopotse “Mdala Ka Tjeludo” Mugende and will also feature…