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
De Beers cautiously optimistic for outlook in major consumer markets
31 august 2015
Diamond giant De Beers, which has so far this year adjusted its sales terms for sightholders due to weak diamond market, has said that it is cautiously optimistic for the outlook in the major consumer markets for the all-important end of year selling season. De Beers Group head of media relations Lynette Gould told Rough & Polished’s Mathew Nyaungwa from her base in London that demand conditions in the near term would be dependent upon consumer demand, retail stocking appetite and the rate of midstream inventory depletion. She also commented on the group’s move to provide increased deferral flexibility in sightholder sales as well as its new licences that were granted in Botswana and South Africa.
GIA’s Global Leadership Program - Building Bridges between Different Sectors of Global Gem and Jewelry Supply Chain
24 august 2015
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA), well-known for its wide range of education programs, launched yet another training course last year in team with the Harvard Business School (HBS), this time bringing together senior gem and jewelry executives from around the world and offering them an opportunity to discuss challenges facing the industry within the frames of the Global Leadership Program. After a successful start-up, the second edition of this Program was run on June 15-18, 2015 and turned to be in the opinion of one of its participants “a splendid platform for peers from all walks of the industry to discuss and exchange ideas”. Rough&Polished asked Kathryn Kimmel, GIA’s Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer to tell more about this educational initiative and here is what she said.
Pangolin optimistic of finding diamonds in Botswana
17 august 2015
Pangolin Diamonds, which prides itself as one of the few exploration companies doing “real” diamond exploration, is optimistic of finding diamonds in Botswana, the world’s leading diamond producing country by value. Company president and chief executive Dr. Leon Daniels told Rough & Polished’s Mathew Nyaungwa that current results in the Malatswae Project suggest they are close to discovery. He said the unusual number of diamonds Pangolin had found in a small area of the Malatswae Project strongly indicate that any discovery in the area would be diamondiferous. Daniels said his company should be a producer, not an explorer within the next five years. He also spoke about the company’s other projects in Botswana.
Our business is built on trust and confidence and so it is critical that we remain optimistic - Ernest Blom
10 august 2015
A third generation diamantaire, Ernie Blom is now President of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) for the third term. He has served on a range of industry bodies as an executive and 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. In an interview with Rough&Polished, Ernie Blom speaks about the various concerns of the global diamond industry at present.
Shmuel Schnitzer: Creative Thinking Is The Way Forward
03 august 2015
With the situation in the global diamond market tougher than it has been for many years, a new way of thinking is called for, Israel Diamond Exchange (IDE) President Shmuel Schnitzer told Rough & Polished. Schnitzer answered questions on recent initiatives taken by the IDE, and the state of the diamond markets worldwide.
History is being made here in Panama, and I feel fortunate to be part of it - Eli Izhakoff
27 july 2015
Eli Izhakoff, Chairman, World Jewelry Hub, Panama and Founding Chairman, Panama Diamond Exchange is also an Honorary Lifetime President of a host of Global organisations like World Federation of Diamond Bourses, World Diamond Council, CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation, Diamond Dealers Club of NY,Diamond Industry Steering Committee and Bangkok Diamond and Precious Stones Exchange. Here, Eli Izhakoff talks to Rough&Polished about the issues being faced by the global diamond industry currently; and about the WJH, he is more than confident by proclaiming “History is being made here in Panama.”
DTZ-OZGEO is steadily increasing production and exploration
20 july 2015
DTZ-OZGEO discovered a diamond field in Chimanimani, Zimbabwe in 2010 where it is currently mining diamonds. After the superficial weathered rock was mined and processed, the company’s operation is now focused on the diamond-bearing conglomerate being developed by way of drilling and blasting. Bornwell Mupaya, Deputy Managing Director of DTZ-OZGEO is narrating about his company’s achievements during two decades of its existence in his interview to Rough & Polished.
As the demand for polished diamonds is not picking up, the rough supply situation is comfortable in India - Vipul Shah
13 july 2015
Vipul Shah, is the CEO & MD of Asian Star Co. Ltd., a market leader in the Indian gem and jewellery industry. The present gloomy scenario in the global diamond industry is a worrisome factor on everybody’s mind. Not surprising that the Indian Industry is hard hit as well, with multiple challenges to tackle. However, the Indian diamond industry, which is known for its resilience has weathered many a storm in the past. But, how is it planning to survive this onslaught, which is bigger than anything it has faced till now? Vipul Shah answers ROUGH&POLISHED here, with great élan.
‘I would like to hold on to something commercial’ – John Teeling
06 july 2015
Botswana Diamonds established a joint venture company with the Russian diamond giant, Alrosa, which is currently exploring for diamonds in Orapa, Botswana. The AIM and Botswana Stock Exchange-listed company provides its database to Alrosa which in turn applies their technology to identify prospective ground. The Russian diamond company was on the other hand providing its geologists, mineralogists and mobile labs for field work. This year, the joint venture was focusing on three blocks in the Orapa area and earlier work had identified kimberlitic indicator mineral concentrations. Company executive chairperson John Teeling told Rough & Polished’s Mathew Nyaungwa on the sidelines of the Botswana Resource Sector Conference in Gaborone recently that there are indications that kimberlites might be on blocks 206 and 207.
Over the long term, we can expect to see a supply shortfall and rising prices - Ali Pastorini
29 june 2015
Ali Pastorini, Director of Marketing of the World Jewelry Hub (WJH), in an interview to Rough & Polished talked about the goals set before the WJH, described the main trends and challenges currently facing the world jewelry and diamond markets and delineated the role of China and India.
