Rio Tinto underscores its strategic partnership in India at WDC

Participating at the World Diamond Conference (WDC) being held in New Delhi, India, Rio Tinto underscored the importance of its strategic partnership in India in driving growth and future opportunities in the global diamond industry. Rio Tinto Diamonds’ managing director Jean-Marc Lieberherr said “Our partnership with the Indian diamond industry is a 30-year journey that covers everything from diamond manufacturing technology, to unique market development initiatives and the first diamond discovery in India in decades.”

Referring to the Bunder project, he added, “Development of our Bunder diamond project in Madhya Pradesh is a natural continuation of the partnership model and would put India among the top 10 diamond producing countries in the world. The Bunder project is positive proof of the natural abundance and prospectivity of India and provides the ideal opportunity to showcase a new benchmark for mine development in India. The opportunity to produce diamonds mined, manufactured and marketed in India on a commercial scale is exciting and very much aligned to the ‘Make in India’ campaign.”

The Bunder diamond project is expected to create healthy job opportunities and economic benefits. Rio Tinto’s Argyle Diamonds mine in Australia will be delivering increased volumes from 2015, creating a direct impact on the Indian manufacturing sector. Rio Tinto Diamonds is continuing its focus on the Indian retail sector with its flagship Indian marketing initiative, Nazraana™ which promotes affordable diamond jewellery as gifts for all occasions.