adminTHE auction of Zimbabwe diamonds at the Antwerp World Diamond Centre in Belgium closed on Friday amid expectations that it generated more revenue than the first one in December last year. The tender ran from February 12-21 including weekends at the Antwerp Diamond Tender Facility.
The gems that went under the hammer came from companies mining in the Marange area namely the Diamond Mining Company, Jinan Investments, Anjin Investments, Marange Resources, DTZ and Mbada Diamonds.
The goods that were offered in the December trial tender included rough diamonds from Marange Resources, Diamond Mining Company, Anjin Investments, Jinan and Kusena Diamonds, totalling 279 723 carats.
The trial tender achieved a total sales value of US$10,7 million.
The trial tender was attended by 115 clients compared to the 10-15 companies that are present at regular tenders in Zimbabwe.
Sources have indicated that the Zimbabwe Government expects to rake in close to US$35 million from the second auction.
The sale of Marange gems in Antwerp followed the removal by the European Union of sanctions on the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation.
The Zimbabwe Government is planning to establish a provisional diamond exchange by the end of the first half of this year after two or three more auctions in Antwerp.
Zimbabwe extracts diamonds from Marange in Manicaland and Murowa in the Midlands provinces and is believed to have the capacity to supply up to 25 percent of global demand. – New Ziana.
Online Reporter