Look at a map of Zambia and you will soon realise that, because of the country’s irregular shape, it would be difficult to put a pin precisely in the middle. But if you were to try, the tourmaline mine, 230 kilometres or so northeast of the capital city, Lusaka, on the rolling plateau not far from the town of Old Mkushi, would be fairly close to that spot.

When the tourmaline mine first came on stream, between 1997 and 2002, it quickly gained a reputation for its exceptional pink tourmaline. That brief initial period of operation only hinted at its potential. Subsequent surveys conducted by the GIA and others suggest that this mine may prove to be one of the most important sources of tourmaline the world has ever known.

Iridis became the majority shareholder in this mine in 2017, with an initial licence valid until November 2023 and an option to extend for a further ten years thereafter.

Meanwhile, we are actively pursuing other opportunities in gemstone mining elsewhere in Africa and farther afield.

From left to right: Brian Chibwe, Racheal Chilambwe, Natan Nyowgai.