PodcastsJan 12, 2026
The latest poscasttest
SourcingMar 17, 2016
De Beers Sells its Oldest Diamond Mining Site
Two companies are paying $7.2 million to buy the Kimberley Mines, a site where diamond production has been taking place since the 1870s.
London--De Beers has inked an agreement to sell its oldest diamond mining site, the historic Kimberley Mines in South Africa, to a consortium of two mining companies for $7.2 million.
The acquisition includes what remains of the diamond mining operations there--a number of tailings dumps and a combined treatment plant--plus Kimberley’s employees and all other assets and liabilities. Tailings dumps consist of previously processed material that is put aside and then sifted through again, in case any diamonds were missed the first time around.
Ekapa will be the lead operator of the Kimberley Mines, with company CEO and founder Jahn Hohne, a GIA gemologist, managing the site.
Ekapa is a mid-sized tailings mineral resources (TMR) processing business that has been operating in Kimberley for more than 25 years, and already owns a share in TMRs sourced from the famous five-cluster of old Kimberley mines.
London-based Petra has an interest in a total of five producing mines, four in South Africa and one in Tanzania, which just yielded a 23.16-carat pink diamond. Its holdings already include Kimberley Underground, which consists of Dutoitspan, Wesselton and Bultfontein, the site’s three historic underground mines. It purchased them from De Beers in the early 2000s.
De Beers announced in the spring that it was looking for a buyer for the Kimberley Mines, and said upon its sale this week that it had more than 70 “expressions of interest” in the operation.
Diamond mining first began on the site where Kimberley Mines sits today about 20 years before De Beers officially was formed, in 1888. The company has been mining there for its entire history but hasn’t had underground operations on the site since selling them to Petra.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Sourcing
The Latest
Weekly QuizOct 03, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
PodcastsJan 12, 2026
Introducing My Next Question, the PodcastA monthly podcast series for jewelry professionals
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for JewelersFrom protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
PodcastsNov 27, 2025
Test Podcast With VideoTest Podcast With Video. New interview with Ada Lovelace.
PodcastsNov 25, 2025
Test New Podcast PostAbstract for tests. New Podcast interview with John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morison.
ColumnistsOct 09, 2024
Peter Smith: 7 Things to Know When Selling LuxuryAhead of the holiday season, Smith delves into the often subconscious reasons people buy luxury products for themselves or their loved ones.
AuctionsOct 09, 2024
Rolex Worn on Apollo 14 Mission Up for SaleThe GMT-Master “Pepsi” belonging to astronaut Edgar Mitchell is a standout in RR Auction’s online “Space Auction,” going on now.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
New Simon Campaign Invites Gen Z to ‘Meet Me At The Mall’The ads celebrate the mall culture of the ‘80s and ‘90s.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
PGI Launches New Virtual Sales TrainingRetail sales associates can access the video series on mobile to refresh their selling skills.
Policies & IssuesOct 09, 2024
GJNRF: Reaching Out, Rebuilding Futures For 25 years, India’s Gem & Jewellery National Relief Foundation has provided aid in the wake of war, natural disasters, and global crises.
AuctionsOct 08, 2024
Sotheby’s Selling Jewelry That Belonged to a Bulgarian TsarThe November auction will feature a collection of jewels owned by Ferdinand I, the first king of modern Bulgaria, and his family.
SurveysOct 08, 2024
What to Know About Online Shopping This Holiday SeasonDeloitte and Adobe Analytics shared their insights on the season, from the retail sales forecast to the role of generative AI.
CollectionsOct 08, 2024
Sylvie Adds New Men’s BandsThe Texas-based jeweler collaborated with luxury clothing brand Uncommon Man on men’s bands designed with European influences.
SourcingOct 07, 2024
Rio Tinto to Offer 76 Diamonds in 2024 Beyond Rare Tender The sales event, in its second year, features a selection of rare diamonds from the miner’s Argyle and Diavik diamond mines.
CollectionsOct 07, 2024
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi Partners With Heller Jewelers on New CollectionA portion of the proceeds from the “Always Dream” collection will go to Yamaguchi's foundation, supporting early childhood literacy.
SurveysOct 07, 2024
Hill & Co.’s New ‘Business of Jewelry Report’ Is OutThe first in what is slated to be a series of in-depth reports from the consulting company, it focuses on shortening supply chains.
WatchesOct 04, 2024
Watches of Switzerland Clocks Another Acquisition—HodinkeeThe company said Benjamin Clymer will return to his role as head of the watch news website, which will maintain editorial independence.
