News
Tharisa meets FY2026 guidance, Karo Platinum fully funded as net debt swings to $51m
Tharisa has reported full-year production in line with guidance for both platinum group metals (PGMs) and chrome concentrates, while confirming its Karo Platinum project in Zimbabwe is now fully funded following a $300 million bond issue.
Today
Israel’s diamond sector poised for revival following tax reforms and De Beers comeback
De Beers, one of the world's major diamond market players, has announced the resumption of its operations in Israel after a nine-year absence, which became the latest sign of revival of the diamond industry in the country.
Today
Kefi Gold and Copper restarts Tulu Kapi development after safety review
Kefi Gold and Copper has resumed development at its Tulu Kapi gold project in Ethiopia following a suspension that began on September 7 after a serious safety incident three days earlier.
Today
Nornickel implements smart melt monitoring system
Norilsk Nickel has installed a smart melt monitoring system at its metallurgical plant in Norilsk in collaboration with Reksoft. The system uses computer vision to assist the converter operator in identifying phases during the tapping process.
Today
ALROSA to help amplify Arctic agenda at UN
In preparation for the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31), ALROSA experts and other stakeholders from Russia discussed a unified approach to strengthening the country’s position and the Arctic agenda at UN climate conferences.
Today
Tanzania to cautiously extend ban on export of rough gemstones from tanzanite
22 may 2017
Tanzania, which imposed a ban on the export of rough tanzanite more than 1 gram to encourage local beneficiation, said it will cautiously extend the moratorium to other precious stones in the country once it has the capacity to cut and polish all gemstones, locally. Gemstones found in the East African country included tanzanite, ruby, tsavorite, garnet, emerald, sapphire and alexandrite. Commissioner for minerals Benjamin Mchwampaka told Rough & Polished on the sidelines of the Arusha Gem Fair, which took place early May, that they don’t want to “paralyse” the whole industry by imposing a blanket ban on the export of all rough gemstones when there is no capacity to add value in the country. He, however, said both government and the private sector had started training locals in cutting and polishing in preparation for the future ban of rough gemstones. Mchwampaka also said government would consider issues raised by mining companies following its directive to have them cede 30 percent of their equity to the “public” as well as list on the local stock exchange. He said Dar es Salaam was also engaging Petra Diamonds over its shares in Williamson Diamonds and a decision on whether it should be subjected to the new regulations that would be reached at after discussions. The Tanzanian government currently owns a 25 percent stake in the diamond mine. Below are excerpts of the interview.
De Beers sees sales volumes returning to “more normal” levels
15 may 2017
De Beers registered a higher than usual volume of sales in the first quarter following a “strong” rebound in demand levels for lower value stones during the first sales cycle of 2017. The unexpected introduction of demonetisation in India late last year had resulted in weak demand, albeit temporary, for smaller, lower quality rough diamonds from the Asian country’s cutting and polishing industry. De Beers had to temporarily put in place some additional flexibility for Sightholders purchasing a range of lower value rough diamonds following the introduction of the Indian demonetisation programme, as they recognised the challenges some customers would face as they adjusted to the new monetary environment. However, group senior manager, media and commercial communications, David Johnson told Rough & Polished’s Mathew Nyaungwa that the diamond giant was now projecting sales volumes for the rest of the year returning to more normal levels as demand was more balanced across the assortment. He said the group had already reverted to the normal supply situation with its Sightholders.
If not gemologists, who else will maintain the image of diamonds in consumers’ eyes?
10 may 2017
The Moscow State University’s Gemological Centre created in 1995 trains the specialists in rough and polished diamonds, colour gems, jewellery, characterization, expert evaluation, grading and marketing. The MSU’s lecturers and researchers, scientists and experienced gemologists take part in its work. The Centre offers a number of educational programmes to the jewellery marker players as well as the services in gem and jewellery expert evaluation and grading. The Centre’s Gemological Laboratory develops the express methods for checking a big number of small-size diamond studs for being natural ones. This is of great interest to diamond jewellery manufacturers and importers. Yuri Shelementiev, Chief of the MSU’s Gemological Centre in an interview to the industry information agency Rough&Polished speaks on the creation of the National Gemological Association and shares his vision of the current jewellery market.
Manufacturing should be in line with market demand
02 may 2017
Ernie Blom, the President of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) for the third term, has served on a range of industry bodies as an executive as well as chairman for many years, including Chairman, Diamond Dealers Club of South Africa; Chairman, Rough Diamond Dealers Association; Chairman, Master Diamond Cutters Association; Chairman, Jewellery Council of South Africa, South African Diamond Board; and is a Special Diplomatic Advisor to the Belgium government on trade with Africa. An astute businessman, Ernie Blom, President, WFDB, is a third generation diamantaire with his grandfather having entered the industry in the 1800s. Currently, Ernie's son is with him in business as fourth generation heir. Prior to entering the business arena, Ernie became a shop steward at 23 with the trade union South African Diamond Workers Union (SADWU). He rose through the ranks to become the youngest vice-president and a strike leader in the mid-1970s. Here, in an interview with Rough & Polished, Ernie Blom speaks on various issue currently plaguing the global diamond industry.
South African investors have little appetite for investments
24 april 2017
A business and technical leader in the diamond exploration and mining industry, James Campbell has spent over thirty years in the diamond industry and is currently Managing Director of Botswana Diamonds plc. His immediate past role was Chief Executive Officer and President of Rockwell Diamonds Inc (‘RDI’) from 1 June 2011 to 30 November 2016. In an interview with Rough&Polished, James Campbell gives an insight into the workings of the company, as well as expresses his views on the 'issues' faced by the global diamond industry.
Jean-Marc Lieberherr: Medium to long term prospects for the world diamond market are strong
17 april 2017
Diamond Producers Association (DPA) was established in May 2015 by seven of the world's leading diamond companies, including ALROSA and DE BEERS, to maintain and increase the demand for diamonds, as well as their credibility. One of DPA’s most important recent initiatives was the campaign "Real is rare" launched in October 2016, which is aimed at reviving the prestige of diamond jewelry. In an interview to Rough&Polished, DPA Chief Executive Officer Jean-Marc Lieberherr tells about this campaign and speaks of his vision on the situation in the diamond industry.
Chidhakwa: I have no misgivings about diamond mining consolidation in Zim
10 april 2017
Zimbabwe’s mines minister Walter Chidhakwa stands accused of decimating the country’s diamond industry when he decided early last year to streamline operations of mining companies in Marange and that of partly Russian-owned, DTZ-OZGEO, in Chimanimani. Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC), the company that he set up to takeover operations in Marange and Chimanimani, only produced 900 000 carats in 2016 from peak figures of 12 million carats annually. The company has since fired two chief executive officers within the period it had been operational and currently has an acting chief executive officer, Morris Mpofu, who was the head of the exchange control unit at the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ). However, Chidhakwa was defiant, as he told Rough & Polished’s Mathew Nyaungwa in an exclusive interview when they met in Cape Town that he had no “misgivings” about the decision Harare made to have diamond operations in the country consolidated. He said the consolidation is yet to be concluded as the government faced lawsuits from the ex-diamond miners. Chidhakwa also said that ZDC had only accessed grounds previously owned by Marange Resource (a wholly state-owned company) and the Lebanese-owned Diamond Mining Company (DMC) as a result of the lawsuit, a move he said curtailed production. He also revealed that the country will soon commence exploration work just outside Harare as well as on several kimberlites identified in Marange and the surrounding areas.
We are open for good business in all our locations - Erik Jens
03 april 2017
Erik Jens, the Global Head - Diamond & Jewellery Clients - AMRO BANK N.V. comes armed with professional experience in banking, financing and investments. He has specialized in private wealth management solutions, investments in hedge funds, private equity and real estate industry; and has served as director/advisor to various hedge funds and private equity funds at Fortis, which later became ABN AMRO. Erik Jens has also held various senior executive positions at Fortis MeesPierson in banking and investment services in the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Netherlands Antilles, Ireland, United Kingdom, USA and Asia. In an interview with Rough & Polished, Erik Jens speaks about the global gems & jewellery industry, expressing immense confidence in its future; and reiterating that sufficient finance is available for companies, which show good performance and maintain transparency.
Those who do not define their own niche, will not survive
27 march 2017
The Antwerp Diamond Trade Fair (ADTF) enjoys broad industry support as a key annual event for the international jewelry community. The invitation to the ADTF can be obtained directly from the organizers, on the recommendation of one of the participants, or through registration on the website of the fair. The sponsor of the ADTF is the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC). Thierry Polakiewicz, Member of the Organizing Committee told about the major features of the ADTF, called BrilliANT in an interview to Rough&Polished.
Diamond manufacturers must use technology to react swiftly to changes in the market
20 march 2017
One of the original founders of Sarine, Uzi Levami has a long history of founding high-tech companies. He was awarded the prestigious Israel Defense Award in 1992 by then President Chaim Herzog, for his endeavors on a development project for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). He is a former major in the IDF. Uzi Levami has been the CEO of the Sarine Group since February 2009 and an Executive Director since December 2008. With a Master's degree in Computer Sciences from the Weizmann Institute of Science; and a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering (Cum Laude) from the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology. In an interview with Rough&Polished, Uzi Levami talks the company's new product that will be launched mid-2017, as well as about Sarine's efforts to create high-tech products as an ongoing process for the global diamond industry.
