Local firm sends trio to world’s diamond capital
MASERU — A local company, Chalimo Limited, is sending three trainees to Antwerp, Belgium, to gain hands-on experience in sorting and valuation of diamonds.
Chalimo Limited is the first locally owned valuation company in Lesotho. The firm is involved in the sorting, valuation and marketing of diamonds produced in the country.
Molefi Motselebane, a director at Chalimo Limited, told the Lesotho Times in an interview this week that
“We have linked up with a Belgian firm that is already valuating diamonds produced at a local mine since,” Motselebane said.
Motselebane said WWW International Diamond Consultants had agreed to provide full transfer of skills to Chalimo.
“The partnership with the company is for a period of five years. We will work with them jointly for that period after which we will work independently,” Motselebane said.
He said sending the three trainees to Belgium was part of the skills-transfer programme they had entered into with WWW International. The trainees leave Maseru for Antwerp on Sunday.
“Initially the trainees will spend a month in Antwerp where they will undergo full hands-on training.
“They will then travel there every fifth week for a period of five years,” he said.
WWW International has acted as the approved valuator for Letšeng mine since the mine started operating in 2004.
Charles Wyndham, from WWW International said: “It is essential that it is not just the diamond sorting that is learnt.
“There must be a genuine transfer of all other ancillary skills, such as maintaining a price book to prevailing market conditions.
“This will enable Chalimo to have all the skills needed to value diamonds.”
One of the trainees, Mamello Mahlomola, said she was thrilled to have an opportunity of going through the training.
“This will present a lot of opportunities for us and for the country. We will get critical skills that will add value to our products,” Mahlomola said.
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Said Mokone Malemoha, the third trainee: “This opportunity is going to be beneficial not only to us but to the country. We are looking forward to building a successful local diamond industry.”
the company had engaged Belgium-based WWW International Diamond Consultants to help them in the valuation process.šepo Mokau said: “The skills we will acquire will help us and the country increase the value of the diamonds to bring success to the mining sector.”
