Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) has invited tenders for appointing consultants for its project of establishing a diamond bourse, according to reports in the Zimbabwe media. A preliminary visit to the site has been scheduled for this week, and the tenders will close on January 26, the reports said, quoting MMCZ Dy General Manager Masimba Chandavengerwa.

According to the official, the bourse is envisaged as a one stop shop for trading in diamonds and other precious / semi-precious minerals. It will help in the process of standardisation of grading and sales, and this will attract overseas buyers, he added. Till now sales were conducted by independent miners and there are was no uniformity in qualities and prices.

It is envisioned that the bourse will provide facilities for a wide variety of activities related to the diamond industry including banks, insurance companies, logistics companies, cutting and polishing activity as well as jewellery manufacturing all under one roof.

Chandavengerwa is reported to have said that the enhanced security and ease of trading within the bourse would also make it an attractive option for other Africa based mining companies and countries who currently sell in Antwerp or Dubai.