News
Richemont, Signet in talks to join De Beers consortium – report
Luxury group Richemont and US retailer Signet Jewelers are in advanced talks to join the Global Diamond Consortium (GDC) bidding for De Beers, according to five people familiar with the matter, Bloomberg reports.
16 october 2026
Rio Tinto begins Q4 of 2026 with strong operational performance
The Anglo-Australian mining group Rio Tinto has reported its third-quarter 2026 results, highlighting strong operational performance.
16 october 2026
Silver market deficit to widen in 2026 - report
In the latest World Silver Survey prepared by the Silver Institute and Metals Focus, the global silver market deficit is forecast to widen for the sixth consecutive year to 46.3 million ounces.
16 october 2026
Tharisa signs PGM offtake deal with Valterra Platinum, expands chrome collaboration
South Africa’s Tharisa has entered a binding arrangement for the sale of PGM concentrate to Rustenburg Platinum Mines, a subsidiary of Valterra Platinum, effective 1 January 2027.
16 october 2026
Norilsk hosts Nornickel’s 3rd Geology and Mine Surveying Forum
The 3rd Geology and Mine Surveying Forum, organized by Nornickel, has kicked off in Norilsk. The event continues to grow in scope, this year bringing together representatives from universities, equipment suppliers, design teams, mining companies, and...
16 october 2026
Having stemmed flow of conflict diamonds, new WDC acting president to stay course
25 july 2017
(miningweekly.com) - The World Diamond Council (WDC) will stay its course, focused on its primary mission of curbing the trade in conflict diamonds, under new acting president Stephane Fischler, who took the helm on July 1 from Andrey Polyakov, who has resigned. “We have succeeded in almost totally eradicating conflict diamonds from the global market. But we have to continually remain vigilant, especially in places such as the Central African Republic (CAR), to stop new supplies of conflict diamonds from entering the market,” Fischler told Mining Weekly Online in a telephone interview from Antwerp, Belgium.
Mercury Polished Diamond Prices: Polished Prices Keep Sliding in June
24 july 2017
(ehudlaniado.com) - Polished diamond prices declined by another 0.6% in June 2017 compared to the prior year, according to the Mercury Diamond Global Tracker™ (MDGT™), an index of polished diamond transaction prices. This is the 31st consecutive month that the index is declining year-over-year. During the 31 month period, the index declined 11.6%, underscoring the continued softness of the polished diamond market. On a month-over-month basis, prices declined 0.5% during the month of June compared to May. MDGT™ is based on the transaction prices of diamonds weighing 1-30 carats, collected and used for the Mercury Diamond™ Price List. It provides wholesale polished diamond prices based on transaction prices in the wholesale market, and is aimed at serving the wholesale market first and foremost.
Could 3d printing change diamond mining as we know it?
21 july 2017
(en.israelidiamond.co.il) - 3D printing has gained in popularity in recent years, and has filtered in the jewelry business. For example, UK jewelry making supplier Cooksongold has unveiled its latest Advanced Metal Powder at the Baselworld Jewellery Fair, enabling 3D Printing technology to become a viable commercial opportunity for the platinum jewelry industry for the first time. Now, according to a new piece on Mining Weekly, 3D printing could actually benefit the mining industry as well. According to the piece, 3D printing of equipment used in mines “could make operations more cost effective and reduce the frustrations of equipment downtime”. According to Wipro, a South African information technology consultancy and systems integration firm, 3D printing could make “the spare parts and replaceable components that complex mine machinery requires”, thereby giving operators “greater control over the supply chain and ensure the smooth running of equipment”.
Antwerp Rough Diamond Exports Continue Surge in June, Polished Still Sluggish
20 july 2017
(thediamondloupe.com) - Antwerp's diamond trade in June mirrors the trends we have seen from the diamond capital over the first half of the year 2017, with significant volume increases of lower-priced rough exports and a persistently soft polished trade. On a year-over-year basis, the volume of rough diamond exports increased for the second month in a row by more than 50% (53%) while their value rose only 24%. The volume of rough imports also surged 31% while their value lagged behind at 5%. Imports as well as exports of polished goods relinquished the value gains of May, as both tumbled 12%, while the volume of both categories fell approximately 10% (exports -8%, imports -10.5%). For the first half of 2017 (Jan.-June), the volume of rough exports have increased nearly 19% compared to the same period a year ago, while falling 1.5% in value. A similar trend is found on the import side, as rough volumes held steady at +1% while their value fell 13%. This in large part has to do with the lingering effects of India’s demonetization policy in late 2016, which caused demand for rough to tank while suppliers built up stock.
Will the death of US retail be the next big short?
19 july 2017
(ft.com) - For a small band of hedge funds that slapped down prescient bets against the tottering US housing market, the financial crisis was the biggest money-spinner in generations. Some investors think they have now found the next “big short” in the retail industry. The reshaping of how Americans shop by the internet is accelerating. The US retail industry faces a growing headache, with 10 companies pushed into bankruptcy already in 2017, according to Standard & Poor’s. Even Sears, a once mighty department store chain founded in 1886, is now tottering. “We think the magnitude of this short could be bigger than subprime,” says Stephen Ketchum, the head of Sound Point Capital, a hedge fund that manages more than $13bn in assets. “Go to the Amazon website and type in ‘batteries’. What you see is just the tip of the future iceberg. And retail is the Titanic.”
