Botswana Diamonds Share Discussion Threads

[lordz] 03/5/2018 17:59

I believe BOD mention something about going to Zimbabwe South Africa, in an article last year. Marange was mentioned,http://nehandaradio.com/2013/07/10/zimbabwe-needs-alrosas-sophisticated-diamond-exploration-technology/

[lordz] 03/5/2018 16:30

Sorry, Vast ( when they were african consolidated resources) bought the mining rights to the marange diamond fields back in 2006.

[lordz] 03/5/2018 16:26

Bacun 2006/.

[lordz] 03/5/2018 16:26

VAST. When they were African consolidated resources, hold the rights to the Marange diamond fields.

[tomatoma2] 03/5/2018 12:05

Courtesy of Perroverde on the VAST board. I thought this might make interesting background reading: While we're hanging around bored waiting for more news I thought I'd revisit the Zimbabwe diamonds situation. A few points of interest arose which might help cheer us all up: - Marange Diamond Fields is reckoned to be holding one of the Worlds largest deposits. - The deposit is huge, the field covers about 400sq miles, forming a bowl-like profile whereby the edges/rim offered easy pickings until now, but is now quite depleted. However the deeper conglomerate rock sections are where the really interesting stuff lies, but require investment in equipment and specialist knowledge to extract. - In terms of carats produced, the Marange field is potentially the largest alluvial diamond producing project in the world, estimated to have produced 17 million carats in 2014. Due to quality (on average slightly lower than most) and distribution issues, the average value per carat is reckoned to be circa $50, about half the global average price (I haven't found anything more recent yet). - I'm no expert but am told that a good method of quantifying the value of a deposit is to measure carats per 100 tonnes of ore. It is claimed that Marange can produce 4 000 carats per 100 tonnes. The numbers for Zimbabwes two kimberlite sites, Rio Tintos operation in Murowa and River Ranch, are much lower, averaging 60-80 carats and 25-30 respectively. - While the bulk of Marange diamonds are of industrial grade quality, it is anticipated that the top five percent are very serious gems while another five percent are decent quality. - Until recently, the diamond fields were operated by 7 private entities all of which are partnered with the Zimbabwe government. None have shown ability or willingness to fund the investment required to develop the deeper mines. - The resource has seen little or no investment in recent times, having been exploited for the personal enrichment of third parties. The Zim Government apparently wants the field to be properly worked to provide fair returns for the people of Zimbabwe and to provide returns to the much-needed investors. But it can't do it on its own and needs external practical and financial investment and it's reluctant for historical reasons to go to the big players. Hence the potential for VAST/BOD. - It is reckoned that Maranges output could potentially sustain three million carats a month for 14 years. Even at $50/carat that's a hell of a lot of diamonds...!

[lordz] 01/5/2018 16:54

Fenners66,post3768,Why don't you go online and read James Campbell's presentation interviews and news, urs all there.

[lordz] 01/5/2018 16:43

Fenners66, BOD made the big before in SA (AFD, AFG) and I believe that they can do it again they are piling their resources and the right one is going to happen big time.

[fenners66] 01/5/2018 15:44

same as the last 6 years in Botswana , SA , Jordan, Ireland , offshore Ireland , Peru, Ghana, Iraq, etc etc
a load of talk, director's remuneration and zero sales , zero profit and negative shareholder returns, I bet I have forgotten some of the countries they are supposed to be working in.....

[fenners66] 01/5/2018 15:41

And what happened in Zimbabwe then?

[lordz] 01/5/2018 15:37

Botswana Diamonds, Vast Resources team up to explore in ZimbabweCecilia Jamasmie | about 4 hours ago |?Botswana Diamonds brings to the partnership its expertise in exploration, development and mining of precious stones. (Image: Thorny River diamond project in South Africa.Courtesy of Botswana Diamonds.)Botswana Diamonds (LON:BOD) is expanding its operations from its base country to neighbouring Zimbabwe by teaming up with Vast Resources (LON:VAST) to jointly explore for diamonds in that country.The memorandum of understanding signed Tuesday sees the two companies exchanging past exploration information on areas prospective for diamonds in Zimbabwe. It also says the parties will set up a jointly-owned special purpose vehicle to develop and exploit diamond resources.Vast acquired a database related to diamonds in Zimbabwe back in 2008. It has also, until 2010, carried out its own exploration in the field using information from the database.The two firms have agreed to exchange past exploration information on areas prospective for diamonds in Zimbabwe and form a jointly-owned unit focused on developing and mining diamond resources.Botswana Diamonds, in turn, has independently acquired a Zimbabwe diamond database and has expertise in exploration, development and mining of precious stones. In particular, it has access to technology relating to extracting diamonds from hard rock.The Southern African nation has "excellent" diamond potential, Botswana Diamonds chairman John Teeling said in a statement.Vast CEO Andrew Prelea said in a separate release that the new Zimbabwe government's desire to open the country up for business triggered the deal with Botswana Diamonds. He added his company believed it was the right time to use its industry knowledge to bring value for stakeholders by developing new resources.Prelea was referring to Zimbabwe's decision, announced in March, to relax its ownership laws requiring companies to sell or transfer 51% equity to black citizens, particularly in the platinum and diamond sectors.Botswana, which was overtaken by Russia as the world's top diamond producing country in 2014, is grappling with aging mines, as well as power and water shortages.Still, the nation is home to some of the world's most prolific diamond mines, including Lucara Diamond's (TSX:LUC) Karowe operation, where the now-famous Lesedi la Rona, the second-largest gem-quality diamond to ever be found, was unearthed in 2016.Besides diamonds, the country also produces nickel, copper, coal and iron ore.Zimbabwe is home to the world's second largest platinum reserves. It also known for its diamonds, though alluvial deposits are almost depleted, and it's said to have eight out of nine "rare earth" minerals and a processing capacity for gold, diamond and chrome.?Vast Resources already owns a gold mine in Zimbabwe. (Image: Pickstone-Peerless gold mine. Courtesy of Vast Resources.)

[fiachra] 01/5/2018 14:51

Fenner66 we were in Zimbabwe six years ago.

[elmfield] 01/5/2018 14:20

Well, to me, it looks like a good deal.

[lordz] 01/5/2018 13:43

VAST, have the machinery and the equipment to explore,mine and process which BOD does not have.

[lordz] 01/5/2018 13:09

Under the terms of the MoU the two companies have agreed to  exchange information derived from past exploration on areas prospective for diamonds in Zimbabwe and to form a special purpose jointly owned company to develop and exploit diamond resources in Zimbabwe.

[lordz] 01/5/2018 09:42

Fenner66... It may not be with Alrosa. The Zimbabwe mining boards are collecting data from all miners past and present to explore for mineral resources in South Africa especially in Zimbabwes rich natural resources.

[fenners66] 01/5/2018 08:57

"who's companies"
That is not including ex companies ...
And that covers a period of about 10 years or more.

No income just expenses and huge losses....
and Director's remuneration of course

[mickluv1] 01/5/2018 08:04

Would that be excluding AK6 then Fenners? They sold that and gave most here a free ride whilst converting shares into LUC at a handsome profit! I guess that doesn't count though eh?

[fenners66] 30/4/2018 22:44

1/8th is still production and sales - unlike the Clontarf mob who's companies have mined nothing and sold nothing....

[mickluv1] 30/4/2018 19:44

Hey Fenners! Not seen you in a while! It's probably more to do with it's annual production being one 8th of it's expected output! Which doesn't really make it a credible mine does it?DORPile in here before the news flowYou'll regret it if you don't GLA

[fenners66] 30/4/2018 16:40

So you are saying that no one wanted to buy a credible working diamond mine ?
That hardly bodes well for a "Not a mine " fundraise then does it.