Seventh ADTF holds its own in cautious market, number of returning visitors increasess

IDI Chairman Shmuel Schnitzer Calls for Substantial Spending by DPA on Generic Campaigns

Shmuel Schnitzer, Chairman of the Israel Diamond Institute Group of Companies (IDI) and past President of the Israel Diamond Exchange (IDE) and the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB), called on the Diamond Producers Association (DPA) to invest a substantial more

When the Seventh Edition of the Antwerp Diamond Trade Fair (ADTF) opened its doors on Sunday, January 31, expectations among participating exhibitors were low key, recognizing the rather slow holiday sales season reported by European retail jewellers and diamond distributors. Fortunately, by the time the three-day fair -- jointly organized by the Antwerp Diamond Bourse (Beurs voor Diamanthandel), the Diamond Club of Antwerp (Diamantclub van Antwerpen) and Antwerp's Rough Diamond Bourse (Antwerpsche Diamantkring) and held in the halls of the Bourse and the Club -- was coming to a close, the overall mood was distinctly upbeat.

"We were here for all three days, spent a lot of time in the halls, viewing lots of goods, holding extended negotiations about the choice of diamonds we had selected. It was not easy, but we did some very serious business here," Albert M., a Middle Eastern diamond buyer said. "Of course, Antwerp remains the number one source for diamonds. If you do not find what you are looking for here, trust me, you will not find it anywhere else!"  more

Diamantaires to receive additional options for identifying clients

Belgian anti-money laundering legislation requires diamond traders to identify their clients, verify their identity and conduct a risk analysis before proceeding to a transaction. AWDC, the umbrella organization of the Antwerp diamond industry, is therefore making a free database available to diamond traders to simplify this identification process.
Not only banks, but also diamond traders in Belgium are required to identify potential clients before proceeding to a transaction.  more

Innovation needed for sustainable African mining sector

Mining houses in Africa need to push the innovation envelope if they want to succeed in a sector characterised by plunging commodity prices, deeper and more dangerous mines, labour unrest and greater geological complexity. This is according to an Africa Innovation in Mining study conducted by Monitor Deloitte and Mining Indaba, which is aimed at understanding how mining companies on the continent are innovating in order to strengthen and enhance their efforts.  more