Rio De Janeiro

ANTWERP DIAMOND INDUSTRY HOPING TO BRING BRAZILIAN DIAMOND PRODUCTION TO BELGIUM

The Antwerp diamond industry is hoping to bring diamond production from Brazilian diamond mines to Antwerp in the long term, according to a press release from the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC). Two recent initiatives in this effort include a training course to enable Brazilian Ministry of Mines and Energy staff to apply the Kimberley Process requirements properly and efficiently and a seminar that the Antwerp diamond industry held in Brazil last year.

Brazil ranks 18th among diamond producing countries, with annual production of some 57,000 carats valued at US$2.7 million, explains the AWDC. Nearly half is exported to United Arab Emirates, while Europe only receives 9% of Brazilian diamond exports. AWDC intends to change this once the recently operational Lipari mine gets ups to speed, as its entire production – some 225,000 carats per year – will be traded in Antwerp, continues the press release.

“Antwerp is making its knowledge and know-how available for developing Brazil’s potential in the field of mine exploitation as well as with regard to implementing the strict regulations that apply to the diamond industry. By sharing our knowledge, we hope to bring Brazilian diamonds to Antwerp once the mines are in production,” says AWDC spokeswoman Margaux Donckier.

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