mmegi

‘Lost’ Lerala diamonds finally back in local hands

In the works: Lerala Mine closed in May 2017 and the fate of its last parcel of diamonds has been a tensely fought affair since then
In the works: Lerala Mine closed in May 2017 and the fate of its last parcel of diamonds has been a tensely fought affair since then

A parcel of 53,000 carats in rough diamonds from the Lerala Mine that was spirited away to Belgium by the former owner a day before closing the plant in 2017, is finally under local control after six years of complicated court cases, BusinessWeek can reveal.

Local authorities secured a key legal victory in Brussels recently and have the stones under their control, a situation that will bring finality to the saga at Lerala where creditors had filed claims worth P30 million.

“The diamonds are still in Belgium but in the hands of people engaged by Botswana who have just started the process for selling the stones,” Minerals and Energy ministry officials told BusinessWeek.

Editor's Comment
BDF visitation approval a welcome development

BDF camps are military camps, and there is a need for stricter rules and regulations to safeguard their operations as well as ensure the safety of civilians. Of course, military personnel are human, and they have relatives as well as girlfriends and boyfriends, but the fact remains that the BDF is responsible for ensuring national security and stability and, as such, will be one of the first targets in the event of possible attacks. The decision...

Have a Story? Send Us a tip
arrow up