Exclusive
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
Mountain Province Diamonds announces Q1 2023 production and sales results
1,319,603 carats recovered, 11% higher than last year's comparable quarter (Q1 2022: 1,185,156 carats). Average grade of 1.72 carats per tonne, a 3% increase relative to Q1 2022 (1.67 carats per tonne).
Q1 2023 Production was impacted by lower than planned process plant and loading unit availability. An annual planned major-maintenance shut-down will occur in May that is expected to address many of the areas in the plant seeing recurring unplanned downtime.
During the quarter 961,024 carats were sold for total proceeds of $128.7 million (US$95.0 million). This is the highest Q1 revenue recorded by the Company to date with three open market sales completed in the quarter. These results compare favourably with Q1 2022 when 506,567 carats were sold for total proceeds of $84.7 million (US$66.7 million).
Mark Wall, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, commented: "While I remain optimistic about the growth and life extension opportunities at the GK mine, the day-to-day operational results from our operator need to improve. We continue to expect to deliver production and costs within guidance for 2023. On the sales side we saw an excellent result in a resilient market amid strong demand from major jewelry brands and the continued recovery in the Chinese market."
Alex Shishlo for Rough&Polished