Lewcor Holdings has leveled accusations against its Zimbabwean equity investor, RZ Murowa Holdings, alleging the unauthorized stripping of assets from the Elizabeth Bay Mine in Namibia. The Elizabeth Bay Mine, owned by Sperrgebiet Diamond Mining, commenced operations in 1911. In 2019, Namdeb Holdings sold the mine to the Lewcor Group, with plans to restart operations after it had been under care and maintenance. In 2020, RZ Murowa, a member of the Global Emerging Markets Group,
With the potential to reach a diamond production level of approximately 14.6 million carats this year, Angola’s mining industry is well-positioned for significant growth under the country’s newly approved National Development Plan 2023-2027. Boasting political stability and strategic access to international markets, a strict adherence to regulations governing the establishment of mining companies in Angola will be crucial for the country to secure funds for investment in the sector. In February 2023, Angola strengthened its
Petra Diamonds’ rough prices are showing increasing signs of a market rebound, according to results from its latest tender. The fourth trading session of fiscal 2024, which took place in February, brought in $47.8 million from the sale of 428,860 carats, at an average price of $112 per carat, Petra said last week. Although total sales were down 30% from December, prices were 4% higher on a like-for-like basis compared with similar categories of diamonds
Lucara Diamond Corp. has renewed its rough-supply agreement with Belgian manufacturer HB Antwerp after terminating the deal in September. The new contract, which spans a 10-year period, is similar to the last agreement, with HB committing to buy all rough over 10.8 carats from Lucara’s Karowe mine in Botswana, the miner said Yesterday February 19th. The purchase price of the diamonds will be based on the estimated polished outcome of each stone, which the pair
Gem Diamonds has unearthed a 113-carat rough from its Letšeng mine in Lesotho, the third over 100 carats this year. The miner discovered the high-quality, type IIa diamond on February 17, it said Monday. On January 17, the company retrieved a low-quality, 139-carat diamond from the site, and on January 8, it found a high-value, 295-carat, white, type IIa rough. The recovery of three 100-plus-carat diamonds so early in the year is a boon for
Namibia recorded a 9% increase in diamond production in 2023. The country produced 2,327 million carats of rough diamonds last year, up from 2,137 carats in 2022. Namibia’s land-based production, overseen by the diamond corporation Namdeb, recorded a 14% increase in 2023 compared to the previous year. The company produced 468,000 carats, up from 412,000 carats in the period under review. Meanwhile, the country’s offshore production in 2023, overseen by the marine diamond mining company
Benedito Manuel, the general director of CATOCA, emphasized the need for mining companies to go beyond mere social responsibility and prioritize social justice and equity in the distribution of resources, particularly in diamond-rich areas. Speaking at the panel discussion on “the social responsibility of diamond companies in mining regions” during the Mining Indaba, Manuel stressed the importance of processing the exploited resources locally to create a value chain that fosters job creation and contributes to
De Beers’ prices fell last year as a prolonged oversupply in the midstream and economic challenges weighed on demand. The company’s rough-price index, which reflects like-for-like values, dropped 6% for the 12-month period, parent company Anglo American reported last week. Sales volume slipped 19% to 27.4 million carats, with the average selling price sliding 25% to $147 per carat. While the company has not published its full-year revenue, rough sales decreased 36% to $3.63 billion,
Botswana has designated BWP 890 million ($65 million) from its new fiscal 2024-2025 budget for the purchase of a 24% stake in Belgian manufacturer HB Antwerp. The deal, which it first announced in March, calls for the African country to supply rough from state-owned Okavango Diamond Company (ODC) to HB Botswana for five years. The partnership would operate in a similar fashion to HB’s previous supply deal with Lucara Diamond Corp, enabling Botswana to retain
Angola’s diamond industry is emerging as an increasingly attractive investment opportunity, driven by legislative reforms, the discovery of high-quality deposits, and a forward-thinking approach by the government. With the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Oil, and Gas actively engaging with regional and global partners, Angola aims to enhance diamond production and position itself as a hub for this precious gem. Sectoral Reforms Encourage Foreign Investment As the fourth-largest diamond producer in Africa and the sixth globally,
