Dr. Robert Mhlanga, Chairman of Mbada Diamonds (Pvt) Ltd., Africa’s 3rd largest diamond mining company, joins the Dubai Diamond Exchange Board of Directors
The Dubai Diamond Exchange (DDE), a DMCC platform, has further expanded its Board of Directors with the appointment of Dr. Robert Mhlanga, Chairman of Mbada Diamonds. Mbada Diamonds (Private) Limited is a joint venture between Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation through Marange Resources and New Reclamation Group through Grandwell Holdings. It has produced 22.4 million carats to date with a turnover of over a billion dollars and is as such the 3rd largest diamond mining company in Africa.
Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman, DMCC said: "The Dubai Diamond Exchange has gained global recognition and is currently ranked among the world's top three market places for rough diamonds. With prominent industry executives on the Board of Directors, we are confident of enhancing Dubai's strength as an attractive diamond trading hub.
Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman, DMCC said: "The Dubai Diamond Exchange has gained global recognition and is currently ranked among the world's top three market places for rough and polished diamonds. With prominent industry executives on the Board of Directors, we are confident of enhancing Dubai's strength as an attractive diamond trading hub.
“We are well positioned to cater for those producing countries in Africa to trade through to the consuming countries in Asia along what we call the New Silk Route. We are delighted to have Dr. Mhlanga on our Board bringing his experience and depth of knowledge to our exchange.”
Today Africa accounts for 61% of the world’s diamond production by value and 56% by volume (carats).
In 2013, the DDE also appointed the Hon. Prof. Francis Pedzana Gudyanga, Permanent Secretary of the Mines and Mining Development of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Mr. Levy Rapoo, CEO of the South African Diamond and Precious Metals Regulator (SADPMR).
Peter Meeus, Chairman of the Board of Directors of DDE said: “The prominence of high profile industry executives on the DDE’s Board of Directors reflects our truly global status in the diamond trade.”
Established in 2004, DDE is a member of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses and a keen supporter of the WFDB in all its initiatives. The DDE fully complies with the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, which ensures that all rough diamonds imported to and exported from the country have been mined in a legitimate matter.