Alrosa reports 49% fall in profit in 2020

Next step is obtaining necessary regulatory approvals to start bulk sampling at the South African project, which is expected during the second quarter of the year.

The diamond producer has inked deals with New Azilian and Equigold, following the delivery and de-risking of the Lesotho-based mine, which began commercial production in December.

The Diamond Producers Association, which represents mining companies like De Beers, Rio Tinto and Alrosa, welcomed the FTC insistence that companies distinguish between diamonds that are mined and those that are made in laboratories.

There is enough evidence to conclude that risk capital has found a new home, a BDO report shows. The question now is, how and where will junior miners find the capital needed to sustain their businesses?

Piotr Koper, who spent years hunting for the elusive train rumoured to be laden with gold and gems, has found two dozen priceless Renaissance portraits.

The discovery comes less than a month after Petra found a 100.83 carat gem-quality diamond at the same mine.

The Africa-focused diamond miner said current market conditions didn't support expansion project at the Lesotho mine.

The Victor mine was forecast to produce 6 million carats over its life, but it beat that by recovering a total of 8 million carats, with a record 936,000 carats produced in 2018.

The Diamond Natural Device is reportedly the first tech system capable of identifying the yellowish gems together with the colourless to near-colourless range of diamonds.