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
We allowed things to go wrong at the beginning – Ex Zim Fin Minister on Marange diamond mining
28 march 2016
When Zimbabwe discovered the vast Marange diamond fields in 2006, there was so much hope that the gems would bring economic relief as was the case in the neighbouring Botswana. However, what happened is no secret and President Robert Mugabe recently admitted that Harare earned about $2 billion in diamond revenue from $15 billion realised since 2009. Rough & Polished’s Mathew Nyaungwa spoke to the country’s former finance minister Tendai Biti, in Cape Town, South Africa prior to the directive by mines minister Walter Chidhakwa to the mining companies in Marange to seize operations and Mugabe’s admission of diamond revenue loss. Despite the fast pace at which the Marange story is evolving, Biti looked at the issues that he handled concerning diamond mining during his tenure as finance minister under the uneasy government of national unity in Zimbabwe from 2009 to mid-2013.
Emanuele Guido: In Dubai, VICENZAORO Is Creating a Unique Networking Platform for Jewellery
21 march 2016
The jewellery industry is always looking for new geographic areas to operate in, and the Arab Gulf, with its thriving luxury market, low import barriers and excellent hub infrastructures seems to provide all the right characteristics. It is therefore not by chance that VICENZAORO, Italy’s leading jewellery event organiser, chose the United Arab Emirates as a venue for its largest initiative outside Italy. Between 14 and 17 April, VICENZAORO will be returning to Dubai for its second consecutive year, with a renewed and larger exhibition. Rough&Polished discussed with VICENZAORO DUBAI (VOD) General Manager, Mr Emanuele Guido, the perspectives for this new initiative, as well as his views on the international jewellery market.
Grown-diamond companies around the world are well equipped to start pushing supply to industry – Vishal Mehta
14 march 2016
Vishal Mehta, who has been the CEO of IIa Technologies Pte Ltd (Singapore) since July 2009, drives the company’s global growth plans and strategic planning focused on innovation. He, along with his team, created a commercially viable approach of growing diamonds; and believes that all future innovations in the industry will be led by technology. Vishal comes from a family with a history in the gems and jewellery business, going back to four generations. He began his career at the age of 18 as a diamond cutter in Mumbai, India. Besides becoming a Gemologist from Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Vishal also holds a Master’s in Business Administration in International Management from Thunderbird, School of Global Management. In this interview with Rough&Polished, Vishal Mehta speaks about his company, its products and related issues.
We would love to build another mine in Botswana – Lucara CEO
09 march 2016
Lucara Diamond, which recently recovered a 1,111 carat diamond regarded as the second largest diamond in the world since the 3,106-carat Cullinan diamond recovered in South Africa in 1905, is hoping to establish another mine in Botswana. Company Chief Executive William Lamb told Rough&Polished’s Mathew Nyaungwa in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of a mining indaba in Cape Town early February that the recovery of the 1,111 carat stone from the Karowe mine made Botswana a target for more foreign diamond exploration companies. He said chances were high that the company will continue recovering larger stones in Botswana, but within the range of 300 carats to 500 carats. Lamb also reviewed that Lucara was debt free, thanks to the findings of large stones at Karowe that allowed the company to settle its debts.
ALROSA and De Beers: Investors want profits now
29 february 2016
Paul Zimnisky is an analyst studying the development of the global diamond industry. His research articles in the field of mining industry, including diamond production, are used around the world by consulting firms, private and public companies, governments and universities. His works are published and cited by many industry publications and websites. In this interview to Rough & Polished, Paul Zimnisky speaks about diamond mining prospects for 2016 and shares his views on the situation the diamond market found itself to face last year.
Panama Diamond Exchange is not only a diamond center, it is set to provide expert services to all sectors of the industry
24 february 2016
Mahesh C Khemlani, President, World Jewelry Hub FZ (Panama Diamond Exchange) has an extensive background in business and government. He spent six years at the Ministry of Economy & Finance of Panama, most recently as Vice Minister of Finance. Prior to this, Khemlani’s many stints include Vice President of Finance and Business Development at Optynex Telecom; a member of the Technology Investment Banking Group at CIBC World Markets; and a financial analyst at Standard & Poor's Portfolio Management Data Group; and at Grupo VerdeAzul, a private investment firm in Panama, where he is currently Chief Investment Officer. Here, in an interview with Rough&Polished, Khemlani talks extensively about PDE, the Latin American market, the current status of the PDE project and a host of other related issues.
Praveenshankar Pandya: “We will have to wait till the storm passes”
15 february 2016
Having been through a stint earlier as Chairman of the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) of India from 1996 to 2000, Praveenshankar Pandya, the recently elected Chairman of GJEPC, comes more than well-equipped to head the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council of India (GJEPC); and steer the now distressed Indian industry, which is going through its most difficult time, back on the fast track. Here, in an Interview with Rough&Polished, Praveenshankar Pandya elucidates on the numerous challenges before the Indian gem & jewellery industry; throwing light on areas that need to be redressed; Council’s initiatives to bring back the industry to its robust condition and more…
This year, ALROSA’s geologists will continue to search for new diamond deposits in Africa
08 february 2016
The Department for Evaluation of New Areas at the Research and Exploration Company affiliated to ALROSA is based in St. Petersburg and deals with the forecasting and prospecting of diamond deposits in the North-East European Platform and in promising areas of Africa. Viktor Ustinov, Deputy Director of the Research and Exploration Company affiliated to ALROSA, who is also heading the Department for Evaluation of New Areas told Rough&Polished about his company’s latest achievements in the search for diamonds in Africa.
End of an era as Shmuel Schnitzer's fourth term ends
01 february 2016
A month or so after stepping down from the presidency of the Israel Diamond Exchange (IDE) for the second time – making a total of eight years at the helm of one of the world's biggest bourses – Shmuel Schnitzer is able to provide valuable insights both into one of the most difficult periods to have affected the Israeli and global industry, and as to what future years may bring. Schnitzer was elected President of the Israel Diamond Exchange in 1998 and served three straight terms before leaving in 2004. He was elected for a fourth term in October 2013. In addition, he was President of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses from 2002 to 2006.
Amin Luxury: Style and Innovation
25 january 2016
The theme of innovation has been a central one in the diamond industry. While everyone seems to agree with the fact that innovation is crucial for the business, few companies have come through with revolutionary ideas. Among them is Amin Luxury, a company based in Italy and New York. Rough&Polished asked Bobak Nasrollahi, CEO of Amin Luxury, about the company's strategy and his personal views on the diamond industry.
