diamond miner

Jobs in Jeopardy at Lesotho’s Key Diamond Mine

A crisis is unfolding in Lesotho’s diamond-mining heartland as the Storm Mountain Diamonds (Pty) Ltd (SMD) warns that its operations at the Kao Mine could cease without urgent intervention placing nearly 800 jobs and large swathes of local economic activity at serious risk.
What’s happening?

The Kao Mine is operated by Storm Mountain Diamonds, which is jointly owned by Namakwa Diamonds Limited (75 %) and the Government of Lesotho (25 %). The mine is located in the Butha-Buthe district.

In a statement dated mid-October 2025, SMD warned that without government support especially in respect of tax and royalty burdens the mine may be forced to shut operations.

Workers’ union Independent Democratic Union of Lesotho (IDUL) says that nearly 97 % of the mine’s workforce are citizens of Lesotho, and 34 % come from villages surrounding the mine.

The broader context: the global diamond market is weak, prices have fallen significantly and Lesotho’s mining sector is under severe pressure.

Why is this so critical?

The mine is one of Lesotho’s largest private employers. If operations halt, the impact on direct jobs, local procurement, and supporting businesses will be severe.

According to one report, the total economic significance of the mine is more than M1 billion (approx. US$57 million) in local economic activity. (While exact figure in Lesotho maloti not given in all sources, the correspondence to US$57 million was mentioned in the briefing.)

Given the high reliance on the mine in the region, a closure would have knock-on effects: families losing incomes, local shops and services losing customers, and the region’s economy contracting.

Royalties & tax burdens: SMD complains that the flat royalty rate applied even when the mine is loss-making adds cost layers it cannot sustain.

Predictability of investment conditions: The mine accuses the Lesotho Revenue Services (RSL) of not honouring prior mining agreements that guaranteed more stable conditions, thus undermining the investment climate.

Global market factors: The drop in diamond demand especially from major consumer markets and accompanying low prices are dampening profitability.

Cost structure & capital needs: SMD reports that despite an efficiency expansion (a High-Pressure Grinding Roll installation), it faces annual waste-stripping capital needs of around M150 million. Without that, ore reserves will be exhausted.

What is being done?

SMD has informed its workforce of possible cost-cutting measures, including a 30 % reduction in employment costs and a 20 % overall cost cut.

The union (IDUL) is calling on the government’s Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Business Development to immediately engage with SMD and negotiate solutions.

The mine remains operational for now but warns that without urgent lifelines, a shutdown is imminent.
what happens if it shuts down?

Direct job losses: ~800 workers employed by the mine could lose their employment.

Indirect impact: With many workers from surrounding villages, local businesses that serve them (shops, services, transport) will face reduced demand.

Regional economy: The Butha-Buthe district and adjacent areas stand to lose significant economic income tied to the mine’s operations and spend.

National investment climate: A closure could send negative signals to investors in Lesotho’s mining sector emphasising risk in royalty/tax unpredictability and commodity-market exposure.

Comments from the sides

May Rathakane, Secretary-General of IDUL: “For government to watch silently while so many livelihoods hang in the balance is a betrayal of the working class… Lesotho cannot claim to promote investment and industrialisation while suffocating its most productive sectors through bureaucracy and political bias.”

SMD Chairman Robert Cowley: In a memo he said “low diamond prices now appear to be permanent and the company must adapt… the possibility of closure has been actively considered.”

The plight of the Kao Mine is a stark illustration of how commodity-driven regions can face rapid economic distress when global markets shift, and domestic policy burdens accumulate. With hundreds of jobs and millions in local economic activity at stake, the next steps by both the mine’s owners and the Lesotho government could determine whether an important mining operation survives or becomes another employment and investment casualty.

The question now is: will the government intervene in time to shore up the mine and if so, on what terms? Operators and workers alike are waiting.

Diamond miners face turning point amid weak prices

The diamond industry, once a symbol of timeless stability, finds itself in a state of flux as prices for natural diamonds hit multiyear lows, driven by a mix of evolving consumer preferences, geopolitical upheaval, and the meteoric rise of lab-grown diamonds (LGDs), a new study shows.

The reversal of fortunes that followed a surge during the covid-19 pandemic has left industry stakeholders grappling with how to adapt to ensure long-term sustainability, consultancy McKinsey & Company says in its latest report.

During the pandemic, diamond prices rose unexpectedly. Supply chain disruptions and the delay of weddings initially dampened sales, but many consumers stuck at home turned to diamonds as a form of self-care. This led to an unanticipated spike in demand and a sharp rise in prices.

The post-pandemic market has painted a very different picture. As traditional engagement and marriage cycles return and supply chains normalize, prices have tumbled amid changing market dynamics, McKinsey & Co. says.

Ten years ago, young customers were an important segment of the overall demand for precious stones. Today, they seek more affordable and ethical alternatives.

With prices up to 80% lower than mined diamonds, LGDs have swiftly carved out a substantial share of the market, challenging traditional producers, the report shows.

Shifting customer values

Increased awareness of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues has also driven consumers to demand greater transparency and sustainability in diamond sourcing. Many buyers now insist on proof that their diamonds were mined under fair conditions with minimal environmental impact. This shift is particularly pronounced among younger generations, who are reshaping the jewelry market with their purchasing power and values.

Generation Z is leading a wave of change, favouring ethical and customizable products over traditional offerings. Younger buyers are more likely to seek out jewelry that aligns with their values, including fair labor practices and sustainability.

Many are turning to digital platforms for their purchases, with online fine jewelry sales growing significantly. In 2021, the average online purchase of diamond jewellery in the US was $2,204, compared to $2,994 in physical stores, signalling a growing comfort with digital transactions for high-value items.

The trend of self-purchasing is another key shift. Rather than waiting for significant life events like engagements or weddings, many consumers are now buying fine jewelry for themselves.

Industry actors Beers Group and Signet Jewelers launched in October their “Worth the Wait” campaign, aimed at reigniting demand for mined diamonds from youngsters, particularly amid “zillennials”, the microgeneration born between 1993 and 1998.

Geopolitical and gov’t factors

Adding to the industry’s challenges are geopolitical tensions. Sanctions targeting Russian diamonds have disrupted the global supply chain, particularly for larger stones. Russia’s Alrosa, once the world’s top diamond producer by output, has been heavily sanctioned by the US and the European Union, creating regional dislocations.

McKinsey & Company warns that, by March 2025, these restrictions will tighten further, targeting stones of 0.5 carats and above, exacerbating supply chain issues.

The upheaval comes at a time when natural-diamond production is already constrained. Growth in supply is expected to remain sluggish, with an annual increase of just 1–2% through 2027, far below historical trends. Major mining companies are grappling with depleting resources, forcing them to shift from open-pit mining to more expensive underground operations. Companies like De Beers have invested billions to extend the life of their mines, but these efforts are costly and time-consuming.

Government intervention is also reshaping the industry. In diamond-rich regions, including Botswana, public authorities are taking larger stakes in mining operations, emphasizing the need for transparent and sustainable practices.

Despite the challenges, there are opportunities for companies willing to adapt, the consultancy says. Producers can diversify their offerings by incorporating LGDs or recycled diamonds into their portfolios. They can also emphasize the unique, intrinsic value of natural diamonds, appealing to consumers who value rarity and tradition. Investments in sustainability and digital commerce are likely to pay dividends, as consumers increasingly demand ethical and seamless shopping experiences.

The consultants conclude that by embracing innovation and aligning with shifting consumer values, the industry may find a way to shine brightly once more.

Source: Mining.com

Lucara recovers 341 carat white diamond

341 carat white diamond found at the Karowe mine in Botswana

Canada’s Lucara Diamond has found an unbroken 341-carat white gem-quality rock at its prolific Karowe mine in Botswana, with analysts estimating it could fetch more than $10 million.

The Vancouver based miner said the diamond was recovered over the Christmas period from milling of ore coming from the south western quadrant of Karowe’s South Lobe.

The diamond is the 54th stone over 200 carats recovered at Karowe since it began commercial operations in 2012.

The find builds on previous historic recoveries which include the 342-carat Queen of the Kalahari, the 549 carat Sethunya, the 1,109 carat Lesedi La Rona found in 2015, and the 1758 carat Sewelô, recovered in 2019.

Beyond Sewelô, the only larger diamond ever unearthed is the 3,106 carat Cullinan Diamond, discovered in South Africa in 1905. The Cullinan was later cut into smaller stones, some of which now form part of British royal family’s crown jewels.

Source: mining.com

Star Diamond recovers 2,409 diamonds in second bulk sample

Star Diamond Corp announced that a total A total of 2,409 diamonds weighing 123.27 carats have to date been recovered from the second bulk sample trench (19FALCT004) excavated on its Star kimberlite at the Fort à la Corne kimberlite field in central Saskatchewan.

These initial results are from the second of 10 bulk sample trenches excavated by 60% optionee Rio Tinto Exploration Canada Inc in 2019.

The average diamond grades from the first two trenches are similar to historical diamond grade results detected from the underground bulk sampling and large diameter drilling completed on the Star kimberlite between 2004 and 2009. These results are also similar to the overall weighted average grade 14 carats per hundred tonnes reported in Star Diamond’s PEA of the Star and Orion South kimberlites .

The three largest diamonds recovered to date from 19FALCT004 are 2.98, 2.03 and 1.99 carats, respectively, and were all recovered from Early Joli Fou kimberlite. The EJF is the dominant kimberlite unit within the project in terms of ore volume and diamond grade.

As disclosed by Star Diamond on August 4, 2020, there are indications that recent diamond breakage has occurred in the diamond parcels recovered thus far from RTEC’s trench cutter bulk sampling program, suggesting that the extraction and/or processing systems being used by RTEC may be resulting in diamond breakage. Comprehensive diamond breakage studies are required to assess the nature and extent of the diamond breakage resulting from RTEC’s methods and the possibility that larger diamonds would have been recovered absent such breakage.

Senior vice president of exploration and development, George Read, states: “The initial diamond results from 19FALCT004 and 19FALCT001 continue to show grades similar to the previous underground bulk sampling and LDD performed by Star Diamond on the Star kimberlite. Individual EJF kimberlite samples recovered in the first two trenches exhibit a range of grades 9.81 to 21.22 cpht for 19FALCT004 and 4.88 to 23.34 cpht for 19FALCT001, which are as expected for the EJF kimberlite.”

Source: resourceworld

Lucapa to Sell Large Stones

Lucapa Diamond Company will sell six large stones weighing a total of 449 carats from its Lulo mine in Angola after an overhaul of the nation’s mining laws prompted it to delay the sale, it said.

The Angolan government introduced reforms to its diamond sector in the first half of the year to help boost foreign investment. Those measures included a new marketing policy for Angolan diamonds, and the option of offering goods for sale in locations such as Antwerp.

Anticipating the changes, Lucapa has been holding back a selection of large stones from previous sales, and will now sell them under the new policy, it explained Friday. These include six type IIa white diamonds weighing 114 carats, 85 carats, 75 carats, 70 carats, 62 carats and 43 carats, as well as a 46-carat pink diamond.

“The discussions with our Angolan partners regarding the policy changes taking place in the Angolan diamond sector have reached a stage where we are now able to plan for the sale of these large, premium-value Lulo diamonds held over from previous sales,” Lucapa managing director Stephen Wetherall said. “We look forward to marketing these exceptional diamonds as soon as the necessary arrangements are put in place to continue showcasing Angolan diamonds to the world.”

The decision to delay the tender for those stones had a negative impact on Lucapa’s first-half results, the company added. Its losses grew to $4.6 million for the period, versus a loss of $1.2 million a year earlier.

Even so, Lucapa’s sales rose 3% year on year to $15.9 million in the first half, while production for the same period climbed 15% to 9,566 carats. The average price of rough diamonds from Lulo rose 1% to $1,642 per carat. Rough-diamond inventory from the asset grew 61% year on year to 2,755 carats as of June 30, the miner reported.

Lucapa’s most recent sale of 2,531 carats of rough from Lulo fetched $2.5 million, achieving an average price of $985 per carat, the company noted.

Image: 46-carat pink Lulo diamond. Credit: Lucapa.

Source: Diamonds.net

ALROSA To Hold Auction Of Large Diamonds In Israel

Alrosa the world’s largest diamond miner, will hold an auction for the sale of special size rough diamonds weighing over 10.8 carats in Israel from August 19 to September 6.

The company will auction 202 gem quality rough diamonds with a total weight of 3,165 carats. About 100 companies from Israel, Belgium, India, Hong Kong and Russia were invited to participate in the auction.

“The end of summer is traditionally a good time for auctions the demand for rough diamonds is growing. It is also relevant for Israel where our goods are always in demand and most local companies specialize in large size rough diamonds. According to all these factors we made changes to our plans and increased the number of stones for the sale. Now we look forward to a high demand for our diamonds and good results of the auction,” said Evgeny Agureev, a Member of the Executive committee, Director of the USO ALROSA.

Under Russian law, diamonds of special sizes weighing over 10.8 carats can only be sold at auctions.

ALROSA will hold another auction in Israel in November.

Source: IDEX Online