Responsible business practices ‘no longer optional’, says WDC President Feriel Zerouki

The president of the World Diamond Council takes time out of her busy schedule to tell Rough&Polished readers about the critical work of the WDC. Zerouki, the first female present of the body, which includes all the important industry organizations among...

14 october 2024

James Campbell: Botswana Diamonds optimistic as it enters uncharted territory of using AI for mineral exploration

London-listed Botswana Diamonds has expressed optimism about the company’s use of artificial intelligence (AI) to scan the exploration database in Botswana to look for new mineralised deposits. Company managing director James Campbell told Rough...

07 october 2024

Artur Salyakayev: For me, happiness is freedom to make my ideas happen and create valuable products

Artur Salyakayev is an art entrepreneur, founder of the International Jewelry Academy (IJA) and the INCRUA jewelry company. He has initiated and developed successful projects in jewelry industry and services sector. He is also a leading expert...

30 september 2024

Paul Zimnisky: China key for sustained recovery in demand for natural diamonds, prices

The curtailing of upstream and midstream natural diamond production in the past months is starting to have an effect on prices, according to the New-York-based independent diamond and jewellery analyst and consultant, Paul Zimnisky. He told Rough & Polished’s...

23 september 2024

Vladimir Pilyushin: The jewelry market is not stand-alone and moves by the same laws as other markets

Vladimir Pilyushin is editor-in-chief of Russian Jeweler, a leading magazine about the jewelry industry in Russia. He told Rough&Polished about his view on the evolution of the jewelry industry in Russia and touched upon some of its problems.

16 september 2024

Russia and Africa have great potential for cooperation in geological exploration

13 february 2023
Today, a round table was held on the platform of the Committee on the development of relations with African countries in the field of geological exploration and mining, said Dmitry Kobylkin, Chairman of the Committee on Ecology, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the State Duma of the Russian Federation.
“Over the long decades of cooperation, we have accumulated a lot of joint experience - the states of Africa perceive us as a responsible and long-term partner,” he said. “In modern geopolitical conditions, our relations with the countries of the continent are reaching a new level. Africa has a unique raw material potential, for which Russia has the necessary competencies and technologies.
Geological exploration remains a priority. Most of the developed mineral deposits are in the hands of foreign companies.
Solving problems in the mining sector will simultaneously require the implementation of projects in other important areas - energy, transport logistics and, of course, the training of qualified personnel.
Today, representatives of Russian companies working in this field voiced specific proposals at the Committee, and we will take these proposals for further consideration.
What is important is that together with our African colleagues we see the direction in which we will develop our relations. There is a lot of collaboration ahead. A parliamentary conference with the participation of African countries is scheduled for March. At the same time, a conference on the development of education and the training of qualified personnel will be held. Also, a Russia-Africa summit will be held this summer.”

Vladimir Malakhov, Rough&Polished