Rio Tinto has appointed Patrick Boitumelo as President and Chief operating officer, Diavik Diamond Mines. Patrick has extensive operational, stakeholder management and corporate strategy experience at a senior level across a number of businesses in the mining industry, including diamonds, soda ash and salts, nickel, iron ore, copper and copper by-products. Most recently he was general manager of engineering and projects at Kennecott Utah Copper in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. Rio Tinto Copper & Diamonds managing director operations Nigel Steward said “Patrick brings a wealth of experience to Diavik at an important time in its development, as we work…
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Rapaport Auctions, the leading recycler of diamonds in the world, closed its Hong Kong auctions this month at one of the largest jewelry shows of the year. The auctions sold over 83,000 carats of polished diamonds for $12.5M achieving a sell through rate of over 87%. Hundreds of parcels of recycled and finely assorted commercial and premium quality diamonds in all shapes, sizes and qualities were sourced from retailers, pawnshops and refineries around the world. The Rapaport Melee Index (RMI™) for small diamonds increased by 13.3% to 108.40 during the first quarter of 2017. Year over year the index is down…
The 5th Annual International Heavyweight Comedy Festival (HICOFEST) is bringing non-stop laughter to Gaborone on May 5th at AVANI Gaborone Resort and Casino with the most sought after and in demand international and local comedians. The audience will be treated to too much hilarity and great silliness from a variety of heavyweight comics. The show promises fireworks as it will be held over two days to ensure patrons experience top notch entertainment of different forms of comedy from over 7 countries. Major Moves Comedy’s biggest annual flagship comedy event which has grown in leaps and bounds will feature over fifteen…
Botswana exports declined at the end of last year following the closure of BCL Mine on top of reduction in the exports of diamonds. Statistics Botswana’s International Merchandise Trade Statistics (IMTS) Monthly Digest for December 2016 showed total exports were valued at P5, 151.6 million, which was a decrease of 29.8% (P2, 181.9 million) from the November 2016 revised value of P7, 333.5 million. “This decrease is mainly due to a decline of 29.2% (P1, 962.8 million) in Diamond exports, from P6, 727.5 million in November 2016 to P4, 764.8 million in December 2016,” the numbers body said. Stats Botswana…
Rio Tinto chairman Jan du Plessis has informed the board that he intends to retire as chairman after the completion of an orderly succession process. Planning for chair succession by the Rio Tinto board commenced in June 2016 after the announcement of the appointment of J-S Jacques as chief executive. Rio Tinto senior independent director John Varley is leading the process to appoint a new chairman. A successor is expected to be announced before the end of 2017, with du Plessis retiring as chairman by no later than the 2018 annual general meeting in Australia. du Plessis said “When we…
Gahcho Kué, the world’s largest new diamond mine in the last 13 years, officially began commercial production March, 02, 2017. The mine, a joint venture with De Beers Group (51 per cent) and Mountain Province Diamonds (49 per cent), is expected to produce approximately 54 million carats of rough diamonds over its lifetime. Production ramp up began on 1 August 2016 and the official opening ceremony took place on 20 September 2016, with 200 guests in attendance from across Canada and around the world. De Beers chief executive officer, Bruce Cleaver said the opening marks a significant landmark for the company…
The South African Department of Home Affairs has announced the closure of three ports of entry in the Limpopo province due to over flooding. These are the Zanzibar, Platjan and the Pontdrift ports of entry. At Platjan, water has been covering the nearby bridge since 24 February 2017 and travellers are not able to cross the border due to the high levels. At Zanzibar, the river has been flooded since 16 January 2017 and travellers are thus prevented from crossing to reach the port of entry. Although the water levels at Pontdrift have dropped, travellers are still unable to cross the border. Travellers using these three ports of entry are advised to use the Groblersbridge port…
The International Institute of Diamond Grading & Research (IIDGR), part of The De Beers Group of Companies, has unveiled its next generation automated melee screening instrument. The AMS2 will provide diamantaires with a more efficient and cost-effective diamond verification technology solution for melee-sized diamonds. Around 10-times faster than its predecessor and with a substantially reduced referral rate, the AMS2 has the ability to process smaller sizes and all shapes of polished diamonds. It will cost US$45,000, cheaper than the first generation AMS.Available from June 2017, the new device will be unveiled at this week’s International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show…
Alecto Minerals plc, the AIM-listed African-focused gold and copper exploration and development company, said it has appointed a mining contractor to commence mining operations at the Mowana Copper Project in Botswana. According to the company, Giant Transport Holdings Limited has been contracted to undertake mining operations at the mine for an initial period of six months, with the mining contractor’s site having now been established. To date, two bulldozers, two excavators and five articulated 40-tonne dump trucks have been mobilised to site to augment the company’s own excavator, dozer and front end loader, with further equipment in transit while Pit…
Survival International – the global movement for tribal peoples’ rights – has announced its fourth worldwide photography competition.The competition aims to celebrate photography as a powerful medium for raising awareness of tribal peoples, their unique ways of life and the threats to their existence. Both amateur and professional photographers are encouraged to enter.The theme this year is tribal conservationists. We’re looking for images that show tribal peoples in their natural environment, as the best conservationists and guardians of the natural world to support Survival’s “Stop the Con!” campaign. The judging panel includes Survival’s Director Stephen Corry, Survival Italy Coordinator Francesca Casella, The…