Category: Diamond

Botswana Diamonds (LON: BOD) has begun drilling at the recently discovered high-grade geophysical area of the Thorny River project in South Africa. The company said in January that following a preliminary assessment of Thorny River’s kimberlite potential, it was estimated the asset hosted about 2 million tonnes of kimberlitic material, up from the 1.2 million previously determined. The exploration program comprises at least ten reverse circulation (RC) drill holes and will take two weeks, the company said. Chairman John Teeling noted the drilling campaign was an important step in the company’s drive to establish a… Read More Here

The Botswana government and diamond miner De Beers Group have extended their existing agreement for the sale of Debswana’s rough diamond production by 12 months until June 30, 2023. Following further positive progress towards a new agreement being made in the first half of this year, the two parties have agreed to the one-year extension to enable the finalisation of the ongoing discussions, De Beers said in a statement on June 29. Debswana is jointly owned by De Beers and the Botswana government and operates four mines – Jwaneng, Damtshaa, Letlhakane and Orapa. The operations produced… Read More Here

Angolan diamonds sparkle again as reforms put production back on track: Six hundred miles east of the Angolan capital Luanda is a small city named Saurimo, whose primary industry has traditionally been agriculture. So, visitors might be surprised to come across a sprawling new development of large buildings, a power station and empty plots of land awaiting new construction on its outskirts. The $77m Saurimo Diamond Development Hub, built on the road toward the large Catoca diamond mine, was inaugurated by President JoãoLourenço last August. It represents the southern African country’s efforts to shake off its troubled past… Read More Here

Aim- and BSE-listed Botswana Diamonds’ ground geophysics survey on its Thorny River property in South Africa has led to the discovery of the largest anomaly to date on the project, consistent with a kimberlite pipe of 25 m in diameter. A detailed drilling programme is planned for July to August, during the country’s dry season. “The discovery of our largest anomaly to date is an important development for Thorny River as this could add significant additional kimberlite tonnage to the developing mine plan,” chairperson John Teeling says. As a result of a… Read More Here

Zimbabwe’s biggest rough diamonds miner sees Russia’s invasion of Ukraine triggering “far-reaching consequences” for the global gem industry and possibly lifting demand for its own diamonds. Russia’s Alrosa is the world’s biggest diamond producer by volume at 30% and the slightest disruption to its ability to supply distorts the market, according to Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Co CEO Mark Mabhudhu. “It may end up creating the supply gap that may drive demand for our product, as well as that of other players,” he said in an interview Monday. “However, we don’t wish… Read More Here