The congolese public company MIBA has doubled the diamond mining in July, increasing it from 35,000 (in June) to 70,000 carats, which brought to its budget over one million U.S. dollars, belgian magazine Trends reported.
Achieved since the beginning of the year level of production allowed the MIBA, according to a statement of its leadership, to pay 80% of employees wages without government subsidies. Meanwhile, the company's staff, according to the magazine, often go on strike, demanding payment of salaries.
In the opinion of independent experts to completely recover the diamond mining, which was not conducted for several years, MIBA requires significant investment.
The resumption of diamond mining halted in November 2008 was announced in August 2011 by President of the Democratic Republic of Congo Joseph Kabila, who gave the company a check for $10 million as initial investment in the revival of production.
On March 26, 2011 MIBA during its first sale after several years of break sold 1,482 carats of precious stones.
MIBA is a diamond mining company, and its operations are centered near Mbuji Mayi, in Kasai-oriental Province in south central DRC.
MIBA had mining and exploration titles covering an area in excess of 45,000 km².
Approximately 80% of MIBA's stock is owned by the Congolese government, with 20% owned by former Umicore subsidiary Sibeka, which in turn is owned by Mwana Africa plc, which operates the mines.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) produced 19.2 million carats of diamonds in 2011, a drop from 20.16 million carats recorded the previous year.
Figures released by The Kimberley Process also showed that the central African country’s diamond production is valued at $179.6 million.
DRC was Africa’s second largest diamond producer after Botswana, which produced 22.9 million carats worth $3.9 billion during the year under review.
Alex Shishlo, Editor in Chief of the European Bureau, Rough&Polished
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