International News
Kagem to recommence focused open-pit mining
Gemfields is pleased to announce that Kagem Mining Limited (‘Kagem’), the emerald mine in Zambia which is 75% owned by Gemfields and 25% owned by the Government of the Republic of Zambia through the Industrial Development Corporation of Zambia (‘IDC’), will shortly recommence a programme of focused open-pit mining to recover more premium emeralds.
As announced on 23 December 2024, alongside other cost cutting measures, Kagem suspended all mining from 1 January 2025 to focus on processing ore from Kagem’s significant ore stockpile utilising the upgraded processing plant.
Emerald production from the processing plant in 2025 so far, in terms of carats recovered, has been in-line with the Company’s expectations, producing a lower proportion of higher-quality or premium emeralds than direct open-pit mining methods.
Kagem’s recent auction results, including the encouraging commercial-quality auction results released on 30 April 2025, has increased management confidence in the current emerald market and the decision has therefore been taken to recommence mining of two key production points in the Chama pit, with minimal waste mining, to recover premium emeralds for Kagem’s future higher-quality auctions. The decision to recommence full scale mining will continue to be assessed as market conditions develop.
International News
Paraiba Tourmalines Deposit Discovered In Ethiopia
SSEF Said Trace-Element Data From The Suspected Ethiopian Material Overlaps Considerably With Stones From Established Localities, Particularly Brazil
The Swiss Gemmological Institute (SSEF) has received credible reports indicating the discovery of a new deposit of copper-bearing tourmalines, known in the trade as Paraíba tourmalines, in Ethiopia.
The development coincides with the submission of several stones whose geographic origin proved difficult to determine using existing methods. Preliminary analyses suggest some may originate from Ethiopia.
Since their discovery in Brazil in the late 1980s, Paraíba tourmalines have been prized for their vivid “neon” blue and bluish-green colours caused by copper within their crystal structure. Additional deposits were later found in Nigeria and Mozambique, with the latter becoming a major source.
SSEF said trace-element data from the suspected Ethiopian material overlaps considerably with stones from established localities, particularly Brazil, making origin determination challenging. The institute is conducting further research to characterise the new material and refine methods for distinguishing it from copper-bearing tourmalines from other sources.
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