News
South Africa mining output falls 12.7% in August on weak PGMs, coal and iron ore
South Africa's mining output declined 12.7% year-on-year in August, according to Statistics South Africa, with platinum group metals, coal, and iron ore accounting for the largest negative contributions.
Today
Aterian expands copper footprint at Azrar project in Morocco
Aterian has identified multiple copper showings and substantially expanded the known mineralisation footprint at the Amane Target of its 85%-owned Azrar Copper-Silver project in Morocco, following initial exploration fieldwork.
Today
Russia’s Ministry of Natural Resources identifies region with largest platinum and palladium deposits
Russia retains second place globally in terms of platinum and palladium reserves, while the largest deposits of these metals are concentrated in Krasnoyarsk Territory, according to the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources.
Today
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.
Yesterday
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.
Yesterday
Botswana Seeks Wider Diamond Industry Role as Russia Hobbled
07 march 2022
(bloomberg.com) - In an article by David Malingha published by bloomberg.com, Botswana is said to be vying to host a permanent new headquarters and secretariat of the Kimberley Process as part of the government's efforts to transform the country into a global hub for the diamond industry.
Is this the World's Most Valuable Blue Diamond?
04 march 2022
(idexonline.com) - It already holds the record as the largest vivid blue diamond ever to appear at auction. And there's a chance that the De Beers Cullinan Blue will become the world's most expensive blue diamond ever when it goes under the hammer. Sotheby's Hong Kong announced on Wednesday that it will be sold in April in a special single-lot live auction. The Type IIb 15.10-cts Cullinan Blue is internally flawless, has the highest possible color grading, according to GIA, and carries a $48m estimate. It is slightly larger than the current record holder - the 14.62-cts Oppenheimer Blue - and is of better clarity (IF against VVS1). The Oppenheimer Blue, also a vivid blue, was sold by Christie's Geneva in May 2016 for $57.5m.
Implats cuts PGM forecast owing to refined inventory build, exacerbating metal supply worries
03 march 2022
(miningmx.com) - Impala Platinum (Implats) cut platinum group metal (PGM) production guidance for its 2022 financial year to no more than 3.2 million ounces, about 300,000 oz less than previous forecast following a build in refined metal inventory. Commenting in its interim results to end-December – which were characterised by a breakout in costs and disappointing deterioration in its safety performance – Implats said group refined output would be between 3.1 and 3.2 million (6E) oz. It previously guided to output of 3.2 to 3.5 million oz (6E).
Will consumers see Russian-mined diamonds as “conflict diamonds”?
02 march 2022
(jewelleryoutlook.com) - Concerns that Russian-mined diamonds may be seen as “conflict diamonds” in the minds of consumers, will become a big issue for the industry. Consumers could turn away from diamond jewellery if they do not know the origin of their diamonds and if they suspect diamonds may be contributing to financing warfare. If Russian diamond supplies to the global market are ultimately eroded, consequences may include higher prices of rough diamonds due to tighter supplies and a stronger market position for miners who can provenance other than Russian origin. We could eventually see the beginning of a differentiation in the value of rough diamonds depending on their origin. This could evolve into premiums for values of rough diamonds from producing areas where miners support local communities, impacting also on consumer prices of finished diamond jewellery.
2021 – The Year when The Diamond Industry Rebounded
02 march 2022
(jewellermagazine.com) - The worldwide diamond industry is going through a heightened state of recovery from COVID, but will it continue to sustain the trend throughout 2022? Robert Bouquet provides a profound perspective.
