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diamond mininglatest news & developments

Race to save the Richtersveld from mass extinction

Climate change, mine dust, drought and succulent poaching are causing centuries-old iconic plants to die

Precious resource: Nyantuwe River risks being polluted by Beifa Investments’ proposed coal-mining project in
Dinde, Zimbabwe, according to a coalition of NGOs. Photo: Centre for Natural Resource Governance

NGOs call for stoppage of ‘cruel’ coal project in Zimbabwe

A coalition of NGOs is on a big drive to stop the Beifa coal project in Dinde, as well as casting a spotlight on mineral governance in the country

Lucky Seekoei heads the Northern Cape Artisanal Miners’ Association

Thousands of zama-zamas receive mining permits

After years of illegally extracting diamond fragments, the Kimberley Artisanal Mineworkers will finally be recognised as a legal mining cooperative

President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed in the National Assembly on Thursday a total of R15.3-million was spent by government on Zuma’s “personal legal costs” since 2006.

Does Oppenheimer say it all?

Sycophants are everywhere to be found but it’s the words of the man himself and the empire he ruled that reveal his true nature

This was a meeting where we were reconnecting

Illicit diamond fortune props up Mugabe’s regime

New report shows how Zimbabwe’s ruling elite have stolen and squandered the country’s vast diamond wealth

Little glitter: These days

Diamond dreams turn to dust as miners eye one last scoop

For small-scale diggers in the North West, red tape is making it harder to mine the elusive gem

Traders speak openly about the illegal trade in rough diamonds through border towns of Gbitti

Diamonds are not forever

The notion of peak diamonds depends on supply and demand – and new discoveries.

Siwinile Ndabeni

Marikana’s literary afterlives

Excavating lesser-known stories of miners and unionists in the platinum belt not only sheds light on Marikana but also humanises the tragedy.

The lifeblood of Botswana is diamonds but experts say its mines will be exhausted in the next 20 years.

Botswana repeatedly raids preservation fund

The Pula Fund was established to cushion the country once its revenue from diamonds dries up. But critics say it’s more of an emergency slush fund.

Wa Lone (Reuters)

‘Flawless’ SA diamond sells for $22m

A jaw-dropping, 100-carat diamond mined by De Beers in South Africa sold for $22.1-million at Sotheby’s auction house in New York.

Mines will feel the pain of the indigenisation policy more than any other sector.

Zim’s Mbada Diamonds to switch to underground mining

Mbada will partner with state-owned Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation to "invest heavily" into conglomerate and kimberlitic mining.

Polishing up Zimbabwe’s diamond industry

The Zimbabwe government is tightening controls in the diamond mining sector in a quest to extract more revenue from mining companies.

A powerful  Zimbabwean parliamentary committee raised the alarm about the lack of accountability for the sale and smuggling of diamonds from Marange.

Zim’s civil society wants to bring glitter to diamond sector

A seminar to interrogate issues in Zimbabwe’s diamond mining sector is to be held in South Africa.

Zuma: Mining has a bright future in SA

President Jacob Zuma says the country’s mining industry is poised for growth in light of a new R20-billion investment.

‘Not guilty’: Godwills Masimirembwa says he is innocent of all bribery accusations.

Masimirembwa​ denies $6mn corruption charge

A formed Zim politician fingered in a scandal involving $6-million, a Ghanaian and diamonds has denied fault.

Letseng mine in Lesotho

Gem Diamonds rises after unearthing 100-carat stone in Lesotho

The discovery of a 100-carat white diamond worth an estimated $5-million has put London-based Gem Diamonds on its strongest footing in nine months.

Rio Tinto to keep diamond unit after scrapping sale plans

Rio Tinto will keep its diamond businesses after failing to find a buyer and deciding not to pursue an initial public offering of the unit.

Cameroon to launch first industrial diamond mine

Cameroon aims to begin production at its first industrial diamond mine by the end of January as part of plans to develop the long-neglected sector.

A powerful  Zimbabwean parliamentary committee raised the alarm about the lack of accountability for the sale and smuggling of diamonds from Marange.

UN watchdog lifts tight monitoring on Zim diamonds

A UN-mandated watchdog has agreed to end monitoring controls on Zimbabwe’s diamond trade, after the government allayed concerns over Marange mines.

Abbey Chikane

Zimbabwe at centre of gem row

A conference on Zimbabwe’s diamonds has showed widening divisions in the Kimberley Process, the global diamond certification group.