(IDEX Online) - The fourth De Beers Sight of the year will go ahead in Botswana next week as planned, unlike the previous one, which was canceled at the last minute.
But few of the 80 Sight holders are expected to attend, because of widespread travel restrictions.
It is understood that because of the coronavirus crisis, the miner will allow 100 per cent deferrals.
The third Sight of the year (30 March - 3 April) did not take place, despite hopes weeks earlier that it would. Sight 2 went ahead, with provisional sales at $355m.
Sight 4 takes place from 4 May to 8 May, as the world's diamond industry remains at a virtual standstill, with demand at rock bottom.
De Beers declined to comment but said it was making preparations for the sight to take place in Gaborone.
Flights to Botswana from 18 high-risk countries - including the diamond centres of China, India and Belgium - were banned last month to limit the spread of coronavirus.