JVC to provides weblink to De Beers class action lawsuit for indirect purchaser claim form
by Jo BlackThe Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) has posted on its website a link to the claim form under the De Beers Indirect Purchaser/Reseller class action lawsuit. The website includes guidance to complete the form and a series of frequently asked questions. The lawsuit and claim form covers gem-quality diamonds only.
In addition, jewelry industry members who [...]
Mwana announces death of Co-Founder
by Jo BlackThe Board of Mwana plc announces the death of David Fish in a tragic accident on Saturday 22nd December. He was 61 years old.
After a long and successful career at Anglo American plc he co-founded Mwana in 2002 with Kalaa Mpinga and subsequently served as Finance Director.
He will be greatly missed by many friends [...]
IDL issues world’s first Arabic diamond certificate
by Jo BlackDubai-based International Diamond Laboratories has become the world’s first issuer of Arabic-language Diamond Certificates. IDL presented the first such certificate to Tamjid Abdullah, deputy managing director of Damas Jewellery, for a 24-carat pear shaped diamond.
IDL, an initiative of Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, provides diamond certification services from its headquarters in the UAE, and branch [...]
Koidu Holdings to cooperate with sierra leone probe
by Jo BlackKoidu Holdings, a diamond producer which is majority-owned by Beny Steinmetz Group Resources, has urged a Sierra Leone inquiry commission to conduct a review of illegal mining and security problems in the area, promising its full cooperation.
Koidu Holdings’ director Patrick Saada promised its full cooperation with the government’s commission of inquiry.
Patrick Saada said in a [...]
The Israeli Diamond Industry plans major presence at Macau Jewelry and Watch Fair
by Jo BlackThe Israeli Diamond Industry will participate in full force at the Macau Jewelry and Watch Fair, which will take place for the first time on January 10-13, 2008 at the Cotai Strip Convention and Exhibition Center at the Venetian Macao.
Over 50 Israeli companies will be exhibiting at the show, with 37 companies taking part [...]
New models of supply to be discussed at rough conference in Israel
by Jo BlackAccording to key figures in the global diamond industry, the Third International Rough Diamond Conference to be held in Israel on February 11 – 12, 2008 will provide an unprecedented opportunity for dialogue between diamond producers and manufacturers.
At a time of rapid changes in the diamond supply pipeline, the conference will provide a platform [...]
Rio Tinto responds to deadline imposed on BHP Billiton
by Jo BlackRio Tinto welcomes announcement by The Takeover Panel Executive that it has imposed a deadline of 6 February 2008, by which BHP Billiton must, unless the Takeover Panel Executive consents otherwise, either announce a firm intention to make an offer for Rio Tinto plc under Rule 2.5 of the UK Takeover Code or announce that [...]
Diamond Fields appoints new President and Interim CEO
by Jo BlackDiamond Fields International Ltd. announces the appointment of Edward Wayne Malouf as a director and as President and Interim Chief Executive Officer effective January 1, 2008. This follows the announcement on October 2, 2007 that Roger Daniel is leaving the Company at the end of December 2007. The Company extends its appreciation to Mr. Daniel [...]
Mwana Africa completes acquisition SouthernEra Diamonds inc.
by Jo BlackMwana Africa PLC has acquired all of the issued and outstanding Class A common shares of SouthernEra not already owned by Mwana and its affiliates and all of the issued and outstanding Series A warrants of SouthernEra. The acquisition was effected by way of court approved plan of arrangement (the “Arrangement”). In addition, pursuant to [...]
Alrosa statrs implementing Armenia agreement
by Jo BlackRussian diamond giant Alrosa has started implementing an agreement it signed in Yerevan, Armenia, last August. On 21st August, 2007 the delegation of Alrosa headed by its President Sergey Vybornov made a working trip to Armenia. The delegation was received by President of the Republic of Armenia Robert Kocharian, Prime Minister Serge Sargsian, Minister of [...]
UK panel sets deadline for BHP Billiton
by Jo BlackThe UK Takeover Panel Executive has set a deadline of February 6, 2008 for BHP Billiton to announce a firm intention to make an offer for Rio Tinto plc under Rule 2.5 of the UK Takeover code.
BHP Billiton is considering its options in light of the deadline set by the Panel Executive but no decision [...]
Petra sells 99,43ct diamond for $1,3m
by Jo BlackPetra Diamonds Limited announces the sale of an exceptional 99.43 carat diamond, recently produced from the Company’s Sedibeng mine, South Africa. The stone has been sold for US$1,305,009 (equivalent to US$13,125 per carat).
In September 2007 the Company announced the sale of a 74.7 carat stone (produced from the Koffiefontein mine) for US$1,012,636 (US$13,556 per carat), [...]
Stellar Diamonds signs MOU to Explore DRC
by Jo Black
Stellar Diamonds Limited, a subsidiary of Mano River Resources Inc., has signed a memorandum of understanding (”MoU”) with BHP Billiton over exploration licences covering 10,852km2 in the north of the Democratic Republic of Congo (”DRC”).
The Licences are subject to an existing Option Agreement between BHP Billiton and Socerdemi SPRL, a Congolese registered company which [...]
Zale Corporation names Neal Goldberg President and CEO
by Jo BlackZale Corporation, a leading specialty retailer of fine jewelry in North America, announced that retail industry veteran Neal Goldberg has been named President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. He has also joined the Company’s Board of Directors.
Mr. Goldberg, 48, has 27 years of experience in the retail industry, including senior roles at Macy’s, Victoria’s [...]
Peregrine announces modelled values of US$43 to US$70 per carat for DO-27 Bulk Sample Diamonds
by Jo BlackBrooke Clements, President of Peregrine Diamonds Ltd. reports modelled diamond values for 2,075 carats of diamonds recovered from the nine hectare DO-27 kimberlite pipe, WO Diamond Project, NT, Canada. The average modelled value ranged from US$43 to US$70 per carat, with a “Base Case” average of US$51 per carat. The valuation was completed in Antwerp, [...]
BHP Billiton bargaining unit employees ratify new collective agreement
by Jo Black
The EKATI Diamond Mine announces that a new Collective Agreement has been reached between BHP Billiton and the Union of Northern Workers and Public Service Alliance of Canada.
“This new four-year agreement brings stability to our operations and contributes to our vision of creating a long-term sustainable business in the North”, said Ricus Grimbeek, President and [...]
India’s Gitanjali Gems signs MOU with Italy’s Mariella Burani
by Jo Black
Gitanjali Lifestyle Ltd (GLL), a wholly subsidiary of India’s Jewellery firm Gitanjali Group is signing a Memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Mariella Burani Fashion Group (MBFG) of Italy to form a joint venture company in India. The new company would be called Mariella Burani India.
The proposed joint venture is to significantly drive growth of MBFG’s [...]
Gem Diamonds Australia takeover bid for Kimberley closes
by Jo BlackGem Diamonds has acquired 95.96 percent of relevant interest in Kimberley Diamonds. The company has commenced the compulsory acquisition of the remaining Kimberley shares and dispatched compulsory acqisition notices to the remaining Kimberley shareholders on 10 December 2007.
Kimberley’s shares were suspended from quotation on the ASX at the close of business in Australia on 17 [...]
Dubai Diamond Exchange expands portfolio of services
by Jo BlackThe Dubai Diamond Exchange (DDE), a subsidiary of Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), has enhanced the scope of value-added services and benefits for its members, with a view to stimulating the development of a specialised service economy to the diamond trade.
DDE has broadened its platform to include memberships to retailers throughout the region. Through this [...]
Firestone Diamonds provides preliminary results
by Jo BlackThe Board of Firestone Diamonds plc, the AIM-quoted diamond mining and exploration company, announces preliminary audited results for the year ended 30 June, 2007.
HIGHLIGHTS
Botswana
* Prospecting licences granted over the Tsabong kimberlite field and BK11 kimberlite
* 13 kimberlites discovered at Tsabong
* [...]