Diamond Mining – The Diamond Certification Laboratory of Australia (DCLA)

US$15 million in diamonds stolen in Namdia heist

A brazen diamond robbery at Namibia Desert Diamonds (Namdia) early on Saturday evening and involving what is suspected to be the company’s largest-ever consignment of precious stones received, has resulted in two fatalities and two arrests.

Although the figure could not be independently verified, a person with intricate knowledge of the matter said the diamonds are worth more than US$15 million (about N$280 million).

This consignment was reportedly delivered to Namdia’s premises by the Namibia Diamond Trading Company (NDTC). NDTC is a 50:50 joint venture between the government and De Beers Namibia Holdings. It was formally conceived in January 2007 following an agreement to sort, value and market Namibian diamonds.

Responding to questions yesterday, NDTC CEO Brent Eiseb could not provide any details for security reasons.

“For safety and security reasons, NDTC does not provide details of rough diamond deliveries/movements. Kindly refer all incident-related queries to Namdia,” Eiseb said.

The Namibian Police have said the exact amount of diamonds stolen in the robbery is unknown, pending an inventory by Namdia.

“The suspects fled with an unspecified amount of Namdia’s diamonds, whose value
is still to be ascertained. There were four suspects involved in the robbery. Two suspects are currently on the run. One suspect is in police custody. One suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound during the incident,” Alisa Amupolo said in another statement issued late yesterday. According to sources familiar with Namdia’s modus operandi, the company was warned to tighten up its security.

This, however, never happened. “There were several warnings last year that the security left a lot to be desired. The staff has been worried about this. The board chairman [Justus Hausiku] warned Alisa Amupolo [CEO] several times to focus on security,” said the source, who preferred to speak on condition of anonymity.

Despite the advice to improve its security, Namdia’s offices were guarded by a single security guard only identified as Herman, who was seconded from a local security company.

During the heist, Herman was handcuffed, but somehow managed to notify people at neighbouring premises to call the police, claiming “we’re being robbed”.

Execution

The police confirmed the execution-style killing of a Namdia protection officer during the robbery, as well as one of six perpetrators who succumbed to injuries sustained during the theft. “It is with deep sadness that we confirm an attempted armed robbery at our premises earlier today [Saturday], which tragically resulted in the loss of one of our valued staff members. We are cooperating fully with law-enforcement, and a thorough investigation is currently underway. As this is an ongoing investigation, we are working closely with the relevant authorities to establish the facts surrounding the incident. Namdia remains fully committed to ensuring the safety and security of both its staff and diamonds,” Amupolo said.

Crime report

The weekend police crime report issued yesterday stated that the robbery and murder occurred between 17h00 and 18h00 at the Namdia head office in Klein Windhoek. The police say armed suspects broke into the Namdia premises through yet-to-be determined means.

The police further said the robbers held staff hostage by tying them up before stealing an undisclosed amount of diamonds.

“In one of the storerooms, the supervisor, who is a protection officer, was found dead with his hands and legs tied up and his face covered with a shopping bag, and a gunshot wound inflicted to the head. He was identified as Francis Eiseb, a 57-year-old Namibian male. His next of kin have been informed of his death,” the police crime report states.

Police said one of the robbery suspects was found with what appeared to be two gunshot wounds. Late yesterday, police identified Max Endjala as the deceased suspect who was allegedly involved in the Namdia heist. His next of kin have also been informed of his death. He was an auditor at a local firm, according to reports.

Law-enforcement officers at the scene collected four firearms and some knives. The investigation is ongoing, with the police appealing to members of the public who might have any information about the robbery or the suspects to pass it on to the relevant authorities.

Furthermore, sources said staff at Namdia were called in yesterday for interrogation on the robbery, which some people suspect took place based on inside information regarding the amount of diamonds on the premises at the time.

Family ties

State broadcaster NBC also reported that one more arrest had been made in connection with the robbery. The male suspect is employed as a security officer at Namdia and is related to Endjala, the suspect who allegedly shot himself in the head, NBC reported.

Fond memories

In a social media post on Sunday, Namdia’s former CEO Kennedy Hamutenya hailed Eiseb as one of the hardest-working and most committed employees during his time.

Eiseb, he reminisced, would perform above and beyond the call of duty. “He’d even volunteer to drive clients to and from the airport to ensure their safety. He was kind and cordial to all other colleagues, and was full of respect,” Hamutenya’s post reads.

Also taking to his WhatsApp social media platform yesterday was Bryan Eiseb, the Head of the Financial Intelligence Centre and a brother of the late Francis, who said the Eiseb family has “forgiven those who are responsible for Francis’ horrendous death. You [Francis] have paid the ultimate price for Namibia.”

Namdia was founded by the government in 2016 to independently market and sell Namibia’s diamonds on the international market. The Namdia headquarters is considered one of the most secure in Windhoek, considering the value consignments it regularly handles. It is estimated that Namdia annually sells some N$2 billion worth of diamonds on the international market.
Read more: ‘N$280m gems’ stolen in Namdia heist https://neweralive.na/n280m-gems-stolen-in-namdia-heist

Source: Neweralive

Petra’s entire interest in Williamson headed for Tanzania’s Pink Diamonds

An agreement has been entered into for the outright sale of Williamson Diamonds Limited, Petra Diamonds announced on Wednesday.

The London-listed and South Africa-active Petra is taking steps to sell its entire shareholding in the Tanzanian entity to Pink Diamonds Investments for a headline consideration of up to $16-million.

This follows Petra’s sale in May of just under half of the asset, in which the Tanzanian government has a stake, for $15-million via long-term technical services contractor Taifa Mining.

Since then, Williamson’s coming under consolidated ownership has emerged increasingly as the preferred way forward.

As a Taifa affiliate, Pink Diamonds is viewed by Petra CEO Richard Duffy as possessing the technical and financial capability to conduct operations in a responsible manner for all stakeholders.

As a wholly Tanzanian-owned company with more than three decades of mining-related experience, Taifa’s working relationships extend to mining majors such as De Beers, Barrick and AngloGold Ashanti. It is now entering a phase of exclusive ownership of the asset where about 1 100 people are employed, most of them Tanzanian.

The mine’s reserves and resources as of June 30 were reported as 37.17-million carats. With liquidity challenges continuing, further capital investment will be required.

“We look forward to working closely with the Mining Commission, the Fair Competition Commission, employees, community representatives and other key stakeholders in completing the sale as soon as possible,” Duffy stated in a stock exchange announcement accessed by Mining Weekly.

In South Africa, Petra operates the Cullinan diamond mine in Gauteng and the Finsch diamond mine in the Northern Cape.

“We’re committed to adopting and adhering to the latest internationally recognised standards throughout all aspects of our business,” said Pink Diamonds chairperson Rostam Azizi, whose family are from the area around Mwadui, the other name for the Williamson mine, which is situated 23 km north-east of Shinyanga in northern Tanzania.

Mining Weekly can report that the discovery of the kimberlite pipe by Canadian geologist John Williamson in 1940 led to ongoing operation since then, making it one of the world’s oldest continuous operating diamond mines. Its yield of 19-million-plus diamond carats includes the 54.5 ct Williamson pink diamond presented to British royalty in 1947.

Source: JOHANNESBURG miningweekly.com

14% Surge in Jewelry Sales at Richemont

St Petersburg, Russia, November 11, 2020. Cartier shop window display close up. Luxury Cartier house in Russia. — *Cartier*

Richemont, the Swiss luxury goods conglomerate, saw jewelry sales from its Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels,Vhernier and Buccellati jewelry maisons surge by 14 per cent in the last three months, in what it said was a “very solid end to the calendar year”.

Its eight watch brands, including A. Lange & Sohne, Baume & Mercier, IWC Schaffhausen and Jaeger-LeCoultre, staged a recovery, from a 17 per cent drop during the previous quarter (Q2) to a Q3 fall of 8 per cent.

Overall the group said it enjoyed its highest ever quarterly sales – â‚¬6.2bn ($6.8bn) – a year-on-year rise of 10 per cent. Jewelry and watches account for almost 90 per cent of the group’s revenue.

Other sectors – fashion, accessories, pens and other luxury items – saw sales increase by 11 per cent.

Richemont performed well overall, despite a 7 per cent drop in sales in Asia Pacific, its single biggest market. All other regions – Europe, Americas, Japan and Middle East/Africa – saw sales up by between 19 per cent and 22 per cent.

Sales for the last nine months of 2024 were â‚¬16.2bn ($17.3bn), an increase year-on-year on 4 per cent at constant exchange rates.

Jewelry maisons saw their growth “accelerate this quarter to +14 per cent against a demanding +12 per cent comparative in the prior-year period,” said the company.

“This was fuelled by the performance of iconic jewellery and watch lines supported by novelties which met a strong success, particularly during the festive season.

“Sales progressed across all channels and almost all regions, with the strongest contribution to growth coming from the Americas and Europe.”

Source: IDEX

Rapper Drake’s Heavyweight Diamond Necklace

This is the latest heavyweight jewelry extravaganza from Canadian rapper Drake – a necklace fashioned from 6lbs of gold and 250 carats of flawless colored diamonds.

It depicts his alter ego, a cartoon character called Anita Max Wynn who he introduced to fans in 2023.

The piece was commissioned from celebrity jeweler Jason of Beverly Hills for an undisclosed price.

The pendant, a likeness of Anita Max Wynn, shows a girl sporting a blonde bob haircut, rosy cheeks and large spectacles. It is set with white, blue, green and pink diamonds.

A graphic on the reverse shows concert venues on Drake’s upcoming tour, together with a secret panel revealing a 3D skyline recreation of Toronto, his home town.

Drake is known for his extravagant and expensive jewelry collection, including a chain featuring 2,100 VVS diamonds totaling 74.9 carats, his Owl Chain, made of 1kg of gold and over 100 carats of Asscher cut diamonds and the $12.5m Previous Engagements necklace with 42 stones representing 42 potential engagements (total 351.38 carats).

Drake, aged 38 – real name Aubrey Drake Graham – showed off the necklace on Instagram ahead of a tour of Australia and New Zealand next month.

Source: IDEX

30 years of Ekati diamonds, 30 years more

A 36-carat fancy vivid yellow diamond recovered from Ekati during the September quarter.

In its first full year as the operator of the world-class Ekati diamond mine, Burgundy Diamond Mines Ltd. marked several milestones, including consistent diamond recoveries and advancements in extending the mine’s future, reinforcing its position as a prominent player in the Canadian diamond industry while laying the groundwork for continued growth and success.

Over the past year, Burgundy worked to solidify its position as the new operator of the Ekati diamond mine by focusing on improving production and extending the mine’s lifespan. This was reflected in the consistent quarterly performance throughout the year, despite challenges in the diamond market.

“Despite suppressed diamond market prices, we remain optimistic as supply-demand tightens and look forward to launching Ekati’s tenth mine – a landmark achievement,” said Burgundy Diamond Mines CEO Kim Truter.

In less than two years, Burgundy moved quickly to expand Ekati’s capabilities, advancing beyond initial stabilization to actively pursue new development and growth. This is exemplified by the development of the Point Lake open-pit project, which is set to become Ekati’s tenth operational mine.

This quickly became a critical component of the company’s strategy to secure long-term production at Ekati. With initial production planned in late 2024, Point Lake holds more than just increased production potential but also historical significance as the first diamondiferous kimberlite discovery in Northwest Territories – which led to the eventual development of Ekati.

Burgundy Diamond Mines Ltd.

Located approximately three kilometers northeast of the main mine camp, Point Lake, evidenced by its name previously existed as a natural lake, which required draining before mining operations could begin. Dewatered in two phases, and as part of the process, a total of 523 lake trout and 6,348 slimy sculpins were relocated prior to emptying the habitat.

The water was then pumped into the King Pond Settling Facility and Lynx pit, allowing suspended solids to settle and facilitating future underwater remote mining trials at Lynx pit.

Currently, Ekati is estimated to contain approximately 140 million carats of diamonds in the indicated category, even after more than 26 years of production. These remaining resources are concentrated within the currently active Misery underground and Sable open-pit mines, with Point Lake projected to add an estimated 5.3 million carats once it begins production, further bolstering Ekati’s resource base.

This robust resource position led to a major milestone in late October, as Burgundy celebrated Ekati reaching 100 million carats of diamonds recovered – a testament to the mine’s enduring contribution to the diamond industry.

“As we reflect on this historic achievement, Ekati continues the legacy as one of the premier diamond assets in the world in a tier one location producing highly sought after sustainably and ethically produced diamonds for the global market,” said Truter.

With substantial reserves still available, Ekati is well-positioned for another 30 years of production, potentially even longer if further resources are identified.

“We are proud of the team we have in place and of everything we have achieved so far,” Truter added. “Ekati still has 140 million carats remaining in Indicated Mineral Resources, one of the largest unmined diamond endowments in the world, which provides Burgundy shareholders an indication of Ekati’s remaining mine life potential.”

Beyond Point Lake, Burgundy has also focused on extending the mine life of other key operations at Ekati. In particular, the Misery underground mine has shown promise for extended production through recent exploration efforts.

Looking ahead into 2025, Burgundy continues to focus on operational efficiency and advancing exploration to maximize Ekati’s resource base.

With production at Point Lake expected to commence and further drilling at Misery ongoing, Burgundy is executing its strategic plan to secure sustained production at Ekati.

The company is also progressing feasibility studies for additional underground sites, all aimed at maintaining Ekati’s position as a key contributor to the global diamond market, while delivering value for shareholders and supporting local communities in the Northwest Territories.

Source: Miningnewsnorth

Some Recovery in India’s Polished Exports

India’s gross exports of polished diamonds showed some signs of recovery during December, after a couple of months of volatility.

Foreign sales were $773m, down 10.4 per cent in dollar terms on the same month in 2023, according to the latest figures from the Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC).

But that compares to a steep year-on-year drop of 40 per cent in November, with total sales of $660m.

That came after a 11.3 per cent increase in October, when sales hit just over $1.4bn.

Before that GJEPC recorded significant year-on-year drops for every month of the year, with foreign sales in September down 22.9 per cent to $1.29bn.

India’s diamond manufacturing has been badly hit by the ongoing slump in prices and demand, with an estimated 30,000 workers having been laid off in Surat over the last six months.

December’s fall in polished diamond exports was broadly in line with the whole gem and jewelry sector (down 10.3 per cent at just under $2bn).

Source: IDEX

Power Company Pulls Plug at Diamond Mine

The Murowa Diamond Mine, in Zimbabwe, has reportedly had its power supply cut after failing to pay a USD 4.5m bill.

Owner and operator RZM Murowa has also failed to pay some of its workers since October, prompting around 300 of its 700 workforce to take strike action.

The mine, in Mazvihwa, south central Zimbabwe, had its power supply switched off last Wednesday (8 January), according to local news outlet Zim Now.

“Power was switched off by ZESA (the state-owned Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority) yesterday,” according to one worker, it said. “So today there is nothing going. No one has explained what’s next.”

Another worker said they’d received a circular saying part of their October and November pay checks arrive on 3 January.

“Now that power has been cut off we don’t know if we will get anything else,” they said.

A source at the mine said debts to ZESA had been mounting and were now USD 4.5m.

Full-scale production at the mine began in 2004. RioZim took over management in 2015, leading to a comprehensive strategic overhaul aimed at revitalizing operations and expanding capacity.

Murowa produced 216,000 carats in the half of 2024, marginally up on the same period in 2023. But revenue and profitability were down.

Source: IDEX

Jennifer Lopez settles divorce with $5M green diamond ring from Ben Affleck

ennifer Lopez, who recently settled down things with ex-husband Ben Affleck, has reportedly walked away from her divorce, holding onto dazzling green diamond worth $5 million. — *Jennifer Lopez*

Jennifer Lopez, who recently settled down things with ex-husband Ben Affleck, has reportedly walked away from her divorce, holding onto dazzling green diamond worth $5 million.

Daily Mail has revealed that the 55 year old star will be keeping her stunning green diamond engagement ring from ex-lover.

The ring is a real showstopper, featuring a big green diamond in the center which is framed by two long baguette cut diamonds and finished.

When Ben proposed to Jennifer, she gushed about the green gem, calling it her symbol of luck and the new beginnings in her life.

Jennifer Lopez settles divorce with $5M green diamond ring from Ben Affleck — *Jennifer Lopez*

As per TMZ, the Atlas star is said to be keeping all the things and jewelry given by the Batman actor.

However, insiders further suggested that Lopez sees the piece of art more than just a ring, as it may be her way of holding on to cherished memories while also turning the page to a new chapter.

Jennifer Lopez and her ex-beau Ben Affleck have finally called it quits after giving their romance a second chance. The pair, who tied the knot back in 2022, tried to make things work out between them but they didn’t work in their favor.

Source: thenews.com

De Beers sitting on largest diamond inventory since 2008, FT reports

De Beers has reportedly built up its largest stockpile of diamonds since the 2008 financial crisis, with an inventory valued now at roughly $2 billion, according the Financial Times.

“It’s been a bad year for rough diamond sales,” De Beers chief executive Al Cook told the FT, though he did not provide additional details on its inventory.

The diamond giant has faced multiple headwinds in recent years. A slumping Chinese economy, in particular, has been a major drag on demand. Cheaper lab-grown diamonds are also adding pressure.

In a briefing to Bloomberg last year, Cook said his company has been building its stock on the assumption that diamond prices will recover, and that it will be able to sell that supply.

At the end of 2024, that hasn’t materialized. For the first half of this year, De Beers’ sales were down about 20% compared to the same time a year ago.

Still, Cook remains upbeat about a turnaround. “As we go independent, we have the freedom to focus on marketing as hard as we focused on mining,” he told the FT.

“This feels to me like the right time to be driving marketing and getting behind our brands and retail, even as we cut the capital and the spend on the mining side.”

However, a new report from McKinsey gave a less optimistic outlook for diamond miners, suggesting that lab-grown alternatives could one day take over the market.

Earlier this year, De Beers’ parent company Anglo American announced plans to spin off the diamond business either through a sale or an initial public offering.

Source: mining.com

Yellow Diamond Toi et Moi Fetches US $240,000

Yellow Diamond Toi et Moi Fetches $240,000 — *3.61 carat fancy vivid yellow*

A “toi et moi” ring featuring a 3.61 carat fancy vivid yellow, internally flawless, pear-shaped diamond sold for $254,000 at the Phillips New York Jewels Auction.

It beat its low estimate of $240,000 but fell short of its $300,000 high estimate.

The platinum ring (pictured) set with a 5.03 carat D Color, internally flawless pear-shaped white diamond as well as the yellow diamond and isaccented with brilliant-cut diamonds and similarly cut diamonds of yellow tint.

Overall 70 per cent of lots were sold (by number and by value) raising a total of $2.58m

The auction, on 13 December, featured 146 lots with a strong emphasis on colored diamonds and gemstones, antique-cut diamonds, and signed pieces from renowned makers.

Cristina Rodrigo, specialist and head of sale, jewels, New York, said there was “a great deal of participation from across the globe, leading to strong prices for important pieces spanning style and price points”.

Source: IDEX