World Report

Zambian gemstones are in demand for their high quality

ore than 50 percent of all emeralds are estimated to come from Zambia, which hosts the second largest emerald deposit in the world. There are also sizeable deposits of amethyst and other semi-precious stones such as aquamarine, tourmaline, garnet and rose quartz.

Zambia’s gemstone industry is potentially a huge earner of foreign exchange and could make a major contribution to poverty alleviation. Up to now, however, it has been held back by lack of capital and expertise and the activities of foreign smugglers.

This is a situation the government wants to change in line with its objective of diversifying the mining sector away from dependence on copper. Minister of Mines and Mineral Development Kaunda Lembalemba says the government wants to encourage small-scale mining and has plans to create a gemstone development authority and establish a gemstone exchange. “We want local people to have the chance to form companies and partnerships with outside investors or the government,” he says.

Based in the Copperbelt, Grizzly Mining exports rough gemstones to India, Israel, Japan and Europe, where its customers appreciate their high quality. “Zambian emeralds are among the best in the world.” says Managing Director Abdoul Ba.

Abdoul Ba
Managing Director of Grizzly Mining

‘There will be a lot of investors and the sector will be booming’

Since starting operations in 1999, the company has invested more than £4.5 million in modern machinery and other mining equipment. Currently it has around 350 fulltime employees, but provides casual employment for another 100 during high production periods.

Mr Ba is confident that the sector will expand in the future. “There is not much competition at the moment but this is just the beginning. There are a lot of plots in the area and people are starting to move in and develop them. Once electricity has been brought in, we are going to have a lot of investors and the sector will be booming.”