We are taking on the challenge of transforming the mining industry.
Our vision.
Demand for coloured gemstones has risen sharply over the past decade. Indeed, it has never been higher. This includes not only the “classic three”, emerald, ruby and sapphire, but also other coloured gemstones, including tourmaline.
Historically, the coloured-gemstone market has been fragmented and undercapitalised, serviced by small artisanal producers scattered across the globe. Supply has not always been reliable and prices have fluctuated accordingly. Provenance has often been difficult to determine, further undermining trust and confidence.
Supply has not always been reliable and prices have fluctuated accordingly. Provenance has often been difficult to determine, further undermining trust and confidence.
The formal marketing of coloured gemstones was, until recently, all but unheard of. Such a situation benefits neither producers nor consumers.
It is a situation that Iridis is determined to change – and one that we believe presents a remarkable opportunity.
Iridis – the name comes from the Latin word for rainbow – is the brainchild of co-founders Cyrille Djankoff and Stephane Foucaud. In 2017 they became the majority shareholder of a tourmaline mine in central Zambia with extraordinary measured, indicated and inferred potential.
Together they have positioned Iridis for long-term growth and assembled a team of seasoned industry experts capable of implementing their shared vision.
Photo: Racheal Chilambwe.
The tourmaline mine is just the beginning for Iridis. We are already exploring other opportunities in gemstone mining, both in Africa and elsewhere.
Our team.
Cyrille Djankoff, Chief Executive Officer
During his time as an executive director for such industry leaders as Gemfields and the Bonas Group, Cyrille has acquired a comprehensive, hands-on understanding of the complexities and challenges of mine management in Africa, and Zambia in particular. His operational skills – which extend from resource and business planning to negotiation, regulation, marketing strategy development and commercial execution – are complemented by his gemmological expertise.
Stephane Foucaud, Director
Along with Cyrille Djankoff, Stephane is a co-founding partner of Iridis. Over the past 25 years he has become a much-admired figure in the energy and natural resources capital market sphere, performing a variety of roles for Schlumberger, Société Générale, FirstEnergy Capital and Auctus Advisors, among others. He is also an executive member of the INSEAD Energy Global Club, an alumni network focusing on energy transition.
Ian Pascal, ESG & Sustainability Adviser
For more than 20 years Ian has been a leading figure in the fields of corporate marketing and sustainability. He is perhaps best known for having led the transformation of a once obscure British firm, Hermes Investment Management, into one of the world’s most prominent – and lauded – sustainable-investment brands. In 2019 he launched his own consultancy, HiPath, through which he continues to help companies achieve their sustainability goals.