DiamondBuzz
G7 traceability mechanism implementation delayed for a second time
Plans to support diamond sanctions on Russia with a blockchain-backed traceability mechanism have been delayed for a second time.The G7 and EU nations originally intended to implement the scheme on 1 September 2024, but in June 2024 it was put back to March 2025. And last week it was delayed again, until 1 January 2026.
The announcement was made last week in the 16th sanctions package against Russia, marking the third anniversary of its invasion of Ukraine.The postponement has been widely welcomed within the industry, where many feel the introduction would otherwise be rushed and poorly planned.
The Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) said an additional 10 months would give diamond companies time to prepare properly. The new sanctions package also requires diamond traders importing rough diamonds of mixed origin to present a Kimberley Process certificate listing all countries of origin “At this stage, there is still considerable uncertainty about how the traceability system will function and how it will be governed, and the G7 must first clarify these aspects,” said CEO Karen Rentmeesters
DiamondBuzz
Lesotho’s Kao Diamond Mine To Halt Operations Amid Industry Slump
The Mine’s Operator, Storm Mountain, Cited A Severe Financial Crisis Driven By A Prolonged Drop In Global Rough-diamond Prices, Rising Middle East Conflict
Lesotho’s largest diamond mine, Kao, will cease operations on June 30 and transition to care and maintenance. The mine’s operator, Storm Mountain, cited a severe financial crisis driven by a prolonged drop in global rough-diamond prices, rising Middle East conflict-related fuel costs, and stiff competition from lab-grown diamonds.
Despite a warning last October that the mine required $13 million in fresh capital to survive, the necessary investment did not materialise. According to CEO Neo Hoala, the steep market decline made continued operations unsustainable. The shutdown will impact roughly 750 workers.
The mine’s financial downturn is stark: in 2024, Storm Mountain sold 250,000 carats for $50 million—a massive drop from its $105 million revenue in 2022. Kao’s suspension reflects a broader crisis in the diamond sector, following recent insolvencies and closures at Canada’s Ekati mine and South Africa’s Ekapa and Finsch mines.
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Lesotho’s Kao Diamond Mine To Halt Operations Amid Industry Slump
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