De Beers Announces Leadership Change as Tracr CEO Wesley Tucker Exits in February 2026 De Beers Group has announced that Wesley Tucker will step down as chief executive officer of Tracr—its blockchain-based diamond traceability platform—at the end of February 2026. Tucker joined the company in April 2021 as head of digital transformation before taking over leadership of Tracr. During his tenure, Tucker played a central role in evolving Tracr from a pilot program into the
Lucara Diamond Corp Selects Group R for Major Lateral Development Works at Karowe Underground Mine in Botswana Canada-headquartered Lucara Diamond Corporation has awarded the lateral development contract for its Karowe Underground Project (UGP) in Botswana to Group R Mining and Exploration Botswana. The contract covers all underground lateral development linking the production and ventilation shafts to the orebody. This includes construction of the extraction level, underground crushing chamber, fine ore bins, pump stations with vertical
Petra Diamonds Appoints Permanent Joint CEOs and Strengthens Board Following Annual Meeting London-listed Petra Diamonds has announced a refreshed leadership structure and several board changes following its Annual General Meeting held on November 27. The company confirmed the appointment of Vivek Gadodia and Juan Kemp as permanent joint CEOs, solidifying the roles they have held in an interim capacity since February. Under the new structure, Gadodia will continue to lead Petra’s corporate functions, while Kemp
TotalEnergies to Sell 40% Stake in Nigerian Offshore Licenses to Chevron Subsidiary TotalEnergies has announced plans to divest a 40 percent interest in its Nigerian offshore exploration licenses, entering a new strategic partnership with a subsidiary of Chevron. The company confirmed it has signed an agreement to transfer the stake in two license areas covering approximately 2,000 square kilometers in the West Delta basin to Star Deep Water Petroleum Limited. The deal remains subject to
Etu Energias Expands National Fuel Network with New Station at Cuca Factory in Luanda Etu Energias inaugurated a new fuel station this Friday within the perimeter of the Cuca Factory in Luanda, marking another step in the company’s strategic expansion in Angola’s energy distribution sector. The announcement was made in a statement sent to VerAngola. According to CEO Edson Santos, the opening of the Cuca Fuel Station (PA Cuca) “symbolizes Etu Energias’ commitment to the
Dangote Refinery to Double Capacity to 1.4 Million BPD Through Strategic Global Partnerships Nigeria’s Dangote Group is fast-tracking its ambition to build the world’s largest single-location refinery, leveraging strategic international partnerships to expand production and strengthen its regional energy footprint. During a press briefing in Mumbai, Aliko Dangote confirmed the signing of a new contract with Engineers India Ltd (EIL) to double the refinery’s capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day (bpd) within three years.
Botswana to Acquire Anglo American’s Entire 85% Stake in De Beers, Plans to Share Ownership with Partners President Duma Boko has announced that Botswana intends to purchase Anglo American’s entire 85% shareholding in De Beers Group, a move he says will position the country as a global leader in the diamond industry. Addressing Parliament this afternoon, President Boko explained that Botswana has developed a strong business case for taking full ownership of De Beers. “We
ExxonMobil Lifts Force Majeure on Rovuma LNG, Paving the Way for 2025 FID Target ExxonMobil has officially lifted the force majeure declaration on the 18-million-metric-ton-per-year Rovuma LNG export project in Mozambique, the company told Platts on Nov. 20. “The lifting of FM allows us to stay on track with our Rovuma LNG project,” a company spokesperson said. “We are working with our partners and the government of Mozambique to ensure the safety of our people
TotalEnergies Increases Ownership in Nigeria’s OPL 257 as Offshore Strategy Advances TotalEnergies has signed new agreements with Conoil to acquire an additional 50% interest in the OPL 257 exploration block, raising its total stake to 90%. The move strengthens the company’s strategic position in Nigeria’s offshore oil sector and supports its goal of achieving cost-efficient production growth by utilising existing offshore infrastructure. OPL 257 lies approximately 150 kilometres off Nigeria’s coast and borders PPL 261,
De Beers Debuts Traceable ORIGIN Diamonds in US and Canadian Stores De Beers Group has launched its new branded polished diamond collection, ORIGIN, in retail stores across North America, marking the first time this provenance-focused range is available directly to consumers. The launch strengthens De Beers’ strategy to enhance confidence in natural diamonds through traceability and digital storytelling, enabled by Tracr, the group’s blockchain platform. Each ORIGIN diamond can be traced from discovery, with provenance
