Petra’s Sale of Koffiefontein Diamond Mine Approved
The mining company is set to hand over the South African diamond mine to an affiliate of Stargems Group by the month’s end.

Last week, the London-based mining company announced that it had been granted consent under section 11 of South Africa’s Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act to sell the mine to Koffiefontein Holdings (Pty) Ltd., an affiliate of the Stargems Group.
Section 11 dictates that the country’s minister of mineral resources and energy, currently Gwede Mantashe, must provide written consent for the transfer of mining rights.
Petra said it expects to close the transaction and undertake a “smooth handover” of the mine to Stargems before the end of the month.
The sale will save the company an estimated $15 million to $18 million in closure-related costs for the mine, it said.
“Since taking the difficult decision to put the Koffiefontein mine on care and maintenance and planning for closure of the mine, Petra has remained committed to exploring a responsible exit of the asset,” Petra CEO Richard Duffy said.
“The grant of the S11 consent by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) will allow the Koffiefontein mine to continue with economic activity under new ownership. We believe this is the best possible outcome for all stakeholders involved and I would like to thank the DMPR for its ongoing support in the approval process.”
Mining at the site that is Koffiefontein began in 1887.
De Beers acquired the mine in 1911 and operated it off and on until 2006. Petra bought Koffiefontein in July 2007.
In addition to Koffiefontein, Petra owns and operates the Cullinan and Finsch mines in South Africa and the Williamson mine in Tanzania, which is known for its pink diamonds.
The Latest

The new facility, its first outside of Thailand, will boost its manufacturing capacity by 50 percent.

The special-edition “Dream” pendant, our Piece of the Week, was created to mark Hearts On Fire’s 30-year milestone with 30 diamonds.

Dubai Jewelers in Springfield, Virginia, was once again the target of an armed robbery.

Experience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.

YouGov’s 2026 U.S. Most Recommended Brands report’s out, and a fast-fashion giant is sitting at No. 1 while Rolex is just shy of the top 5.


The rings, crafted by Jason of Beverly Hills, celebrate the hockey team’s Stanley Cup win with design elements that honor its traditions.

This roundup of birthstone jewelry for October features vibrant tourmalines and opals with personality.

Submit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.

President Duma Boko spoke at back-to-back events in the city last week, touting Botswana’s stability and the diamond “bounceback.”

The catalog showcases 112 new, one-of-a-kind pieces amid highlights from the jeweler’s historic archive.

Its Montepuez Ruby Mining operation in Mozambique, which is not yielding enough high-quality rubies, has taken a $125 million hit.

Those surveyed were worried about the present and the future, with write-in responses mentioning high oil and gas prices.

The event will take place on the evening of Oct. 26 in New York City.

She is remembered for her joie de vivre, upbeat personality, genuine interest in other people, and love of the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Online bidding is open now for Julien’s sale of items owned by the “Walk On By” singer, whose final album comes out this fall.

The founder and executive chairman of Stuller Inc. is being honored for his impact on the jewelry industry at the 25th annual Gem Awards.

December is the most popular month to propose, and jewelers need to keep that in mind when planning their holiday marketing.

Cat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction Wednesday.

“Vibrations” features several firsts for De Beers’ high jewelry, including the use of chalcedony and diamonds sourced from artisanal miners.

The “Bows” collection features three interpretations of the bow motif designed with Georgian and Victorian influences.

The American Gem Society recognized industry members, one Guild, and a law enforcement official for their contributions to jewelry.

Through a new system integration, customers can now receive instant personal jewelry insurance quotes at the time of appraisal.

Five of the 10 fastest-appreciating Rolex models on Bob’s Watches were Datejust 31 or Lady Datejust watches.

The Sherwood family and AJS Creations CEO Tejas Shah purchased the jewelry chain back from Palladium Equity Partners.

“The Elizabeth Taylor Collection” uses lab-grown diamonds and gemstones in contemporary designs inspired by the icon.

The artist wore Dana Rebecca Designs’ marquise diamond-set gold hoops at the Chiefs game last Sunday. Now they’re our Piece of the Week.

JSA and Jewelers Mutual shared advice on spotting suspicious behavior, combatting cell phone jammers, and staying safe at home.


























