In July 2007, the Namibian arm of Diamond Trading Company announced competitive selection among the country’s diamond cutting factories to be included into the first list of NDTC sightholders. At that time, Hard Stone Processing (Pty) Ltd (HSP) was already working in Namibia as an independent manufacturer and its factory successfully occupied a strong position among the leading sightholders turning into one of the three top diamond cutting companies in Namibia. Its CEO Burhan Seber gave this interview to Rough&Polished.
Botswana diamond miner, Debswana recently said that the temporary dip in diamond prices will likely see the company producing just below its target of 25 million carats for 2011. However, Esther Kanaimba-Senai, the Group’s Manager for Corporate and Public Affairs, told Rough&Polished in an interview that Debswana was not in trouble.
Malca-Amit is a full service courier company with a 21 year record of providing the highest quality personalised service and the most efficient logistic solutions for diamonds, jewelry, gold, coins, bank notes, and valuable documents. Our correspondent in Brussels caught up with Nigel Paxman, CEO of the Malca-Amit Group of Companies, to find out more about this company.TanzaniteOne has been temporarily exempted from a rough tanzanite export ban imposed by the Tanzanian government earlier this year, a company official has said.
The London-listed company chief executive Bernard Olivier said in a statement to shareholders that they had been allowed to export its rough tanzanite production, including stones larger than 5ct, until December 31.
“This period has been agreed to ensure TanzaniteOne can research and initiate development of economically sustainable domestic cutting operations and assess the potential for cutting and polishing agreements in Tanzania,” it said in a statement.
It said the “staged” exemption was granted in recognition of the company's position as the “biggest” producer and exporter of tanzanite operating in Tanzania.
Olivier said the company would also be allowed a rollout period to enable the expansion of its local cutting and polishing facilities.
The gem-miner currently beneficiates and sells cut stones through its joint venture TanzaniteOne Cutting Edge business.
“The planned expansion will be staggered to guarantee a consistent supply of gemstones into the market and ensure that no backlog of high value, uncut stones develop,” he said.
Tanzanite One said last July that that Tanzania was proposing some changes to its Mining Act to encourage cutting and polishing of the gemstones locally.
The country had also banned exports of rough tanzanite stones larger than 5ct.
Mathew Nyaungwa, Rough&Polished from Namibia
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