De Beers Slated to Begin Diamond Exploration in Angola
The company has signed two Mineral Investment Contracts for license areas in northeast Angola.

The diamond miner and marketer said Wednesday it has signed Mineral Investment Contracts, or MICs, with the Angolan government for two license areas in the northeast quadrant of the country.
The MICs are for the award and exercise of mineral rights covering all stages of resource development, from exploration to mining. They are good for 35 years.
A separate, new joint venture company comprised of De Beers Group and Angola’s state-owned diamond company, Endiama, will hold each concession area.
De Beers will maintain a “substantial majority” (90 percent stake) in the new companies while Endiama will have the ability to incrementally increase its equity share over time, in line with “certain conditions” outlined in the shareholder agreements.
Wednesday’s announcement follows De Beers’ December news that it had applied for permission to look for diamonds in Angola.
According to Reuters, De Beers last operated in the country between 2005 and 2012, carrying out exploration activities but not finding an economically viable deposit to mine.
“The signing of these contracts represents an important milestone in our new partnership with Angola, which is based on a mutual desire to build a thriving diamond sector that delivers meaningful socioeconomic benefit for Angola’s citizens,” CEO Bruce Cleaver said.
“Angola has worked hard in recent years to create a stable and attractive investment environment and we are pleased to be returning to active exploration in the country.”
The world’s two other largest diamond miners, Alrosa and Rio Tinto, already are operating in Angola, though Alrosa’s goods remain under sanction in the U.S.
De Beers said it expects to start exploration activities in Angola this year, pending regulatory approvals.
Diamond mining will take place only if the company finds a deposit that’s economically feasible to develop.
The Latest

The highlight of a single-owner jewelry and watch collection, it’s estimated to fetch up to $7 million at auction this December.

CEO Efraim Grinberg noted a resurgence in the fashion watch market.

The “Bullseye” necklace, with vintage bakelite and peridot, August’s birthstone, is the perfect transitional piece as summer turns to fall.

Jewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.

Sponsored by Clientbook


It will classify lab-grown stones into one of two categories, “premium” or “standard,” in lieu of giving specific color and clarity grades.

Former Free People buyer Afton Robertson-Kanne recently joined the retailer.

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

The jeweler teamed up with two local organizations for its inaugural “Back to School and Bling” event.

The singer’s new bling, reportedly a natural old mine-cut diamond, is no paper ring.

Plans for dining out, booking vacations, and buying big-ticket items were down.

The “Play” collection centers on nostalgic toys that have kinetic elements to carry playfulness and wonder into adulthood.

Designer Christina Puchi, the creative force behind CCWW Designs, has created charms and pendants based on iconic candies and crackers.

The Jonas Brothers star showed off new timepieces against the backdrop of his favorite spots in his home state of New Jersey.

The family-owned jeweler in Fayetteville, North Carolina, is in the hands of the second generation.

In his latest column, Emmanuel Raheb shares tips for encouraging customers to treat themselves to new jewelry.

The new stand-alone Rolex boutique is housed in the former Odd Fellows Hall, a landmark built in 1897.

The Brilliant Earth ambassador co-designed a diamond medallion featuring meaningful symbols.

Wrap jewelry is more than just a trend; it’s the perfect motif for the coming season of layering, scarves, and pumpkin spice.

The three-day watch collector show, coming this October, will feature 44 exhibiting brands, as well as a new dinner experience.

Sriram “Ram” Natarajan is now GIA’s senior vice president of laboratory operations and is based out of the lab’s headquarters in Carlsbad.

The one-of-a-kind collar represents the beauty of imperfection and the strength to rebuild.

Three C-suite executives, including former CEO Tom Nolan, have resigned as part of what the company describes as a “transition.”

The retailer, which recently filed Chapter 11, inked a deal to sell its North American business and intellectual property.

Target CEO Brian Cornell will step down in February and be replaced by the company’s chief operating officer, Michael Fiddelke.

The group met with the president's senior trade advisor earlier this week to express the industry’s concerns about the effects of tariffs.

The pop-up will display this year's Tiffany & Co. Singles Championship trophies along with a diamond-encrusted tennis racket and ball.