More trouble for diamond miner Petra Diamonds yesterday after it warned it is heading into financial trouble with its lenders.
Petra has borrowed heavily to expand its operations in the country. The company is now likely to breach its banking covenants at the end of the year, because of the row with the government in Tanzania. As well as strikes at three of its mines in South Africa.
Petra diamonds is known for the size and quality of the diamonds produced at the famous Cullinan mine outside of Pretoria in South Africa.
The world’s second largest 1,109 carat rough diamond discovered two years ago, has prompted the Botswana government to amend the law giving it first option to buy unusually large diamonds.
Botswana’s success has been due to the rough diamond mines.
An official told a local newspaper that it referred to stones that were unusually large, were particularly clear or had a rare colour.
The price will agreed between the government and the producer, both parties with the current market price of the rough stones.
De Beers marketing spend this years is more than $140 million, This is the biggest De Beers push in a decade.
The marketing will focus on increasing consumer demand for diamond jewellery in US, China and Indian markets.
The De Beers brands, Forevermark and De Beers Diamond Jewellers. Will receive the most funding, But Debeers will also increase its contributions to the Diamond Producers Association and India’s Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council.
Stephen Lussier, De Beers’ executive vice president of marketing and CEO of Forevermark. Said the consumer expenditure for diamond jewellery over the past five years collectively has been the highest on record. and this made the outlook positive.
Lucapa Diamond Company announced Thursday it has recovered seven stones exceeding 50 carats at its Lulo mine in Angola, including two type IIa stones.
The two IIa stones weigh 68 carats and 83 carats. All seven rough diamonds scheduled to sell in September as part of the next parcel marketed by Sociedade Mineira Do Lulo the mining company in which Lucapa has a 40% stake.
The large diamond finds come from Lulo’s block 8, at which Lucapa recently resumed operations at the end of the wet season.
This area is known for yielding large diamonds, including Angola’s 404 carat rough diamond which is the biggest recorded and sold for $16 million.
