Rough Diamond Conference Well Represented
-- JCK-Jewelers Circular Keystone, 1/30/2008 10:54:00 AM
The Third International Rough Diamond Conference, to be held on Feb. 11 - 12, will feature representatives of more than 99 percent of the world’s rough diamond production, the Israel Diamond Institute said. This includes the leadership of the five largest world producers (by value): Botswana, Russia, Canada, Angola and South Africa, all of which will be represented by ministers or top corporate producers.
This is in addition to a roster of leaders from current and future production companies, as well as ministers and delegations from most major diamond producing countries in Africa, attending the event in Tel Aviv, Israel.
"We are pleased that the conference will bring together the most important players in the rough diamond universe. This will be an opportunity for diamond leaders to exchange views on issues facing the world diamond industry and to share their vision,” said Moti Ganz, IDI chairman.
The world’s major diamond producing companies will be represented by their top executives, including De Beers managing director Gareth Penny, DTC managing director Varda Shine, Alrosa managing director Sergei Vybornov, Harry Winston Diamond Corp. president Robert Gannicott, Petra CEO Adonis Pouroulis, Gem Diamonds managing director Clifford Elphick, Namdeb managing director Inge Zaamwani, and Mwana Africa CEO Kalaa Mpinga.
African diamond producing countries are sending delegations, most headed by mining ministers. These include Botswana Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources Ponatshego Kedikilwe, Lesotho Minister of Natural Resources Monyane Moleleki, Angolan Minister of Geology and Mines Manuel Africano; Liberian Minister of Land, Mines and Energy Eugene Shannon, DRC Deputy Minister of Mines Victor Kasongo, as well as Namibian Diamond Commissioner Kennedy Hamutenya.
Future sources of rough supply will be addressed by Rockwell Diamonds CEO Jeffrey Brenner, Stornoway Diamond Corp. CEO Eira Thomas, Shore Gold senior vice president George Read, and Stellar Diamonds CEO Karl Smithson.
In addition the conference will be addressed by Israel Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor Eli Yishai. Other speakers include Israeli diamantaire Lev Leviev, director-general of the Diamond Administration of China Li Mu and India’s Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council’s Praveen Shankar Pandya.
