Alrosa to Begin Exploration in Zimbabwe

RAPAPORT... Alrosa will spend $12 million over the next two years prospecting and developing several diamond deposits in Zimbabwe.The government has allowed the Russian miner to begin exploration through Alrosa Zim, a joint venture with national miner Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC). Geologists will start sampling and trenching this month in selected zones in the provinces of Matabeleland South, Matabeleland North and Masvingo, Alrosa said Tuesday.Alrosa Zim will continue operations and surveying in other zones in those regions toward the end of the year. It will perform bulk sampling and drilling in 2021, it added.Alrosa first announced it would return to Zimbabwe last year after a two-year absence. It holds a 70% share in the joint venture, while ZCDC retains 30%.Image: Rough-diamond sorting. (Alrosa)