Hi RR,
If by Diamet you mean BHP, I think you are on the right track. BHP has publicly stated many times they are looking for large diamond properties to develop because they discovered, with Ekati, that mining diamonds is very profitable. They also like the fact that diamonds are brandable (polar bears etc), thus capable of delivering even higher margins and allowing for vertical integration into the retail end of the business. Both De Beers and BHP have this vertical integration in mind, so in the end the companies controlling supply will set the prices in the jewelry store,...something like the gas supply in Canada,...a few vertically integrated refiners/suppliers set the gas prices for all the gas stations, little competition is possible because your supplier is your competitor. Snap is a good fit in both their dreams of conquest.
Note that this whole idea of blood diamonds from Africa is a great way for De Beers to restrict supply of diamonds coming onto the world markets. If they slow that flow, which represents a substantial chunk of the total market, they don't need to mothball Non-African mines. Me thinks De Beers has turned the African conflicts from a big public relations negative for them, into a huge bottom line positive by supporting a boycott of African diamonds. All this bodes well for Snap,...De Beers will need that supply. BHP wants it too, and relations between RT and BHP Diamonds management are friendly. RT invited BHP Diamonds president to the Roundup to give a speech in January. RT also scooped Melissa Kirkley from BHP who retains good contacts with BHP management. She was involved with various aspects of the development of the Ekati project for BHP and most recently was in charge of New Projects world-wide before jumping to Winspear to become Chief geologist. |
