DiamondBuzz
GJEPC to participate in Ministerial Roundtable On Natural Diamond Promotion in Angola
The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), the apex body of the Indian gem and jewellery industry, will be participating in the Ministerial RoundTable on Natural Diamond Promotion, scheduled to take place on 18 June 2025 in Luanda, Angola.
Representing India at this prestigious global forum will be Shaunak Parikh, Vice Chairman, GJEPC, and Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, GJEPC. Their presence underscores India’s continued commitment to supporting a resilient, transparent, and sustainable natural diamond industry.
Organised by Angola’s Ministry of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas (MIREMPET), the high-level summit is bringing together ministers and senior representatives from leading diamond-producing nations including Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Sierra Leone, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, along with key stakeholders across the global diamond value chain.The meeting will be chaired by the Minister of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas, His Excellency Diamantino Azevedo.
The RoundTable aims to address critical industry challenges and deliberate on the need for collaborative efforts to promote natural diamonds through generic marketing and shared narratives around their rarity, beauty, and socio-economic impact.
One of the key outcomes of the summit will be the signing of the Luanda Agreement, a joint declaration reaffirming the commitment of governments and industry leaders to enhance the global positioning of natural diamonds and ensure their long-term positive impact on producer nations and communities.
GJEPC’s participation at this RoundTable reflects India’s integral role in the natural diamond pipeline and its dedication to engaging in global conversations that shape the future of the industry.
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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