DiamondBuzz
Alrosa is betting on AI to uncover diamond deposits
Russia’s diamond giant Alrosa is betting on artificial intelligence to uncover deposits that have long eluded geologists.
The company revealed last week that it has created a digital system designed to pinpoint exploration zones with far greater precision, potentially reducing both the cost and the time traditionally required for diamond prospecting.
Explaining the rationale behind the initiative, Alrosa noted that most of the planet’s major kimberlite pipes—the richest sources of diamonds—were discovered decades ago. Since then, fresh finds have become increasingly rare.
The new platform draws on more than half a century of geological records, processing the data through neural network models to highlight areas still holding promise. Executives say the approach could mark a breakthrough in locating mineral resources.
Alrosa’s move comes amid mounting financial strain. Western sanctions, particularly from the G7, have curtailed the company’s sales channels, forcing temporary mine closures, a reduction in output, and even the transfer of unsold inventory to state reserves. Against this backdrop, the AI initiative signals both an urgent need for innovation and a long-term play to secure future resources.
DiamondBuzz
Diamond Slump forces Debswana to diversify into copper, platinum and solar
Diamond-centric mining models is giving way to broader resource portfolios
Debswana Diamond Company, the 50–50 joint venture between the Botswana government and De Beers, is moving to diversify into copper, platinum and renewable energy as the prolonged downturn in natural diamond demand pressures earnings and forces the industry to rethink its growth strategy.
The company’s board has approved plans to invest in a portfolio of non-diamond projects after revenue fell 46% in 2024, the latest available financial year, highlighting the scale of the downturn in the global diamond market.
The move signals a strategic shift toward commodities with stronger long-term demand fundamentals, particularly copper, which is central to global electrification and energy-transition infrastructure.
Debswana’s diversification reflects a broader industry pivot as diamond producers confront weak consumer demand, rising competition from lab-grown stones and elevated inventories across the supply chain.
The shift is also visible among smaller exploration companies. Botswana Diamonds recently rebranded as Botswana Minerals, signalling its own strategic focus on copper exploration rather than diamonds.
Together, these moves underscore a growing consensus across the sector: the era of diamond-centric mining models is giving way to broader resource portfolios anchored in energy-transition metals.
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