Da Mineração à Tribuna: a Sotheby’s Irá Leiloar Uma das Maiores Descobertas em Joias do Século

Estrela de Fura 55.22 carats_ Ruby (1)

 

Estrela de Fura, Ruby 55.22 carats
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Estrela de Fura, Ruby 55.22 carats
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Estrela de Fura, Ruby 55.22 carats


Estrela de Fura 55,22 quilates

COM 55,22 QUILATES, A PEDRA PRECIOSA RARA É O MAIOR E MAIS VALIOSO RUBI QUE JÁ APARECEU EM UM LEILÃO

A EXPECTATIVA É OBTER MAIS DE US$ 30 MILHÕES EXTRAÍDOS EM MOÇAMBIQUE E CORTADOS A PARTIR DE UMA PEDRA BRUTA DE 101 QUILATES

O MAIOR RUBI COM QUALIDADE DE PEDRA PRECIOSA JÁ VISTO NO MUNDO – O ESTRELA DE FURA 55,22 SERÁ O DESTAQUE NO MAGNÍFICO LEILÃO DE JOIAS DA SOTHEBY’S EM JUNHO

Já em seu estado bruto, o Estrela de Fura mostrou suas extraordinárias características de qualidade, com potencial para tornar-se uma gema única.
O lapidador conseguiu perceber este potencial e criou um rubi facetado, com um peso surpreendente de 55,22 quilates, exibindo uma cor vermelha saturada e homogênea, combinada com um grau de transparência nunca visto em qualquer outro rubi não submetido a tratamento térmico de tamanho comparável.
Ver um rubi natural deste tamanho, com uma combinação de características de qualidade como essa sem necessidade de tratamento, era considerado algo quase inimaginável.
O rubi natural de 55,22 quilates estabelece um novo recorde, não apenas para rubis de Moçambique, como também para rubis em geral.”
O Gübelin Gem Lab

NOVA YORK, April 07, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Quando a FURA Gems anunciou o achado histórico do maior rubi do mundo com qualidade de gema jamais visto, em setembro de 2022, as notícias dominaram as manchetes do mundo inteiro, provocando um tremendo entusiasmo e pegando o mercado de gemas de surpresa. Descoberto na mina de rubis da FURA em Montepuez, Moçambique, em julho de 2022, a pedra preciosa – pesando surpreendentes 101 quilates – foi posteriormente batizada como Estrela de FURA, em homenagem à sua extraordinária profundidade de cor e tamanho, e para destacar Moçambique como uma próspera fonte de rubis de qualidade superior. Mesmo em seu estado bruto e intocado, a Estrela de FURA foi considerada por especialistas como um tesouro excepcional da natureza por sua fluorescência, excelente clareza e tom vermelho vívido, conhecido como “sangue de pombo” – uma cor tradicionalmente associada apenas a rubis birmaneses.

Agora, sete meses após sua estreia inicial, quando o martelo foi batido no lote final do The Exceptional Luxury Evening Auction, em Hong Kong, as especulações sobre o paradeiro do rubi foram finalmente postas de lado quando o leiloeiro da Sotheby’s, Uni Kim, revelou oficialmente o Estrela de FURA de 55,22 para o mundo. Pesando consideráveis 55,22 quilates, esta joia moçambicana excepcionalmente importante e rara é o maior rubi com qualidade de gema já leiloado. Sua combinação de rica saturação de cor, intocada pelo tratamento térmico, aparência altamente cristalina e tamanho incomparável – com uma estimativa superior a US$ 30 milhões – coloca o Estrela de FURA 55,22 como o rubi mais valioso e importante que já chegou ao mercado.

Após uma série inicial de estudos do cristal bruto de 101 quilates para determinar as opções de corte no início do ano, o Estrela de FURA foi magistralmente cortado e facetado por uma equipe de artesãos – com a parte áspera transformada em uma bela pedra em formato de almofada, a qual, de acordo com um relatório do Swiss Gemmological Institute – SSEF, “resultou em matizes vermelhos vívidos devido a múltiplas reflexões internas”. O relatório afirma ainda que “um rubi natural de Moçambique deste tamanho e qualidade pode ser considerado muito raro, e portanto, um extraordinário tesouro da natureza”. A joia acima mencionada é profundamente rica em cromo, que, quando exposto à luz ultravioleta (como a encontrada na luz solar) faz com que a pedra irradie uma fluorescência vermelha ardente, aumentando ainda mais a sua vivacidade, como se estivesse acesa por dentro.

Estrela de Fura 55,22 quilates

O rubi se tornou uma das pedras preciosas coloridas mais procuradas em um momento no qual a cor domina o mundo das joias e a raridade impulsiona o mercado. Rubis dessa importância e magnitude são extremamente raros, com apenas dois exemplos tendo rompido a barreira de US$ 15 milhões em leilão, tornando a aparição da joia atual um marco em si. O Gübelin Gem Lab afirma ainda que o rubi “estabelece um novo recorde, não apenas para rubis de Moçambique, mas também para rubis em geral”. O Estrela de FURA 55,22 está pronto para fazer história, já que está prestes a superar o The Sunrise Ruby (O Rubi do Nascer do Sol), um rubi de 25,59 quilates de origem birmanesa, vendido por US$ 30,3 milhões (US$ 1.185.451 por quilate) na Sotheby’s de Genebra, em 2015, e ainda detém o recorde mundial de leilão de um rubi*.

A nova jornada da pedra começa hoje, na Sotheby’s Hong Kong, onde ela embarcará em uma turnê mundial, com exposições programadas em Taipei, China, Singapura, Genebra e Dubai (todas as datas do calendário serão informadas em ocasião oportuna), antes de estrelar no leilão Magnificent Jewels da Sotheby’ s, em Nova York, em 8 de junho.

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A descoberta milagrosa, no ano passado, do rubi Estrela de FURA de 101 quilates na mina de FURA, em Moçambique, foi de imensa importância, surpreendendo todos os integrantes do mercado de joias. Agora, em seu estado recém-transformado de 55,22 quilates, o Estrela de FURA 55,22, é uma verdadeira maravilha da natureza, e uma pedra extraordinária de cor perfeita e clareza excepcional, combinadas com sua magnífica forma de almofada. O rubi está, sem dúvida, em uma posição privilegiada para se tornar o porta-estandarte dos rubis africanos e das pedras preciosas em geral, atraindo a atenção global para a sua capacidade de rivalizar, e até mesmo ofuscar, as gemas da Birmânia, que têm sido tradicionalmente a fonte mais desejável e reconhecida de rubis”, afirma Quig Bruning, Diretor da Sotheby’s Jewelry nas Américas.

Nós, da FURA, estamos extremamente orgulhosos por encontrarmos o Estrela de FURA ainda no início da nossa jornada moçambicana. Pedras preciosas importantes, como o Estrela de FURA, são extremamente raras, e um rubi lindamente facetado de 55,22 quilates com qualidade de gema é quase inédito. Desde a análise minuciosa e estudo da pedra – ao longo do processo de corte e polimento -, trabalhamos com o máximo de cuidado e respeito pelo Rubi, reconhecendo a sua importância e proeminência. Testemunhar a finalização do Estrela de FURA 55,22 foi uma conquista monumental para todos nós, e estamos entusiasmados que uma nova página na história desta incrível joia e dos rubis moçambicanos esteja prestes a ser escrita com a Sotheby’s,” declara Dev Shetty, Fundador e CEO da FURA Gems.

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MINERAÇÃO DE RUBIS EM MOÇAMBIQUE

A mineração de rubis em Moçambique tem uma longa e rica história, com as primeiras descobertas significativas de depósitos de rubi no país que remontam à década de 1960. No entanto, foi apenas no começo dos anos 2000 que a mineração de rubis em Moçambique ganhou impulso real, com a descoberta do depósito de rubis de Montepuez, na parte norte do país, onde o cristal bruto do Estrela de FURA foi originalmente encontrado. Os melhores destes rubis de Moçambique são caracterizados por uma destacada transparência e riqueza de cor, resultando em extraordinária qualidade geral. O depósito de rubis de Montepuez é um dos maiores depósitos de rubis do mundo, atraindo um interesse significativo de empresas internacionais de mineração.

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NOTA AOS EDITORES

*O atual recorde mundial para um rubi vendido em leilão é mantido pelo ‘Sunrise Ruby‘, uma pedra birmanesa de 25,59 quilates, leiloada na Sotheby’s de Genebra em maio de 2015, por US$ 30,3 milhões. O seu preço também estabeleceu um novo recorde para qualquer rubi, por quilate (US$ 1.185.451 por quilate), na época.

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SOBRE A FURA GEMS

A FURA Gems Inc. é uma jovem empresa de mineração e comercialização de pedras preciosas coloridas criada em 2017. Com sede em Dubai, Emirados Árabes Unidos, a FURA tem mais de 1.200 funcionários em todos os continentes. É o primeiro empreendimento verdadeiramente pioneiro, criativo e ético a cobrir todo o espectro de pedras preciosas coloridas.

A FURA tem três subsidiárias operacionais de mineração na Colômbia, Moçambique e Austrália, as quais extraem esmeraldas, rubis e safiras, respectivamente. É a empresa de mineração de pedras preciosas coloridas que mais cresce, com o único objetivo de garantir a estabilidade e a rastreabilidade de pedras preciosas coloridas eticamente extraídas, desde o estado bruto até a venda.

A FURA Gems alocará uma parte dos lucros da venda para a criação da Fura Training Academy (Academia de Formação Fura), para apoiar a comunidade onde ela opera, em Moçambique.

O objetivo principal é promover o acesso à educação de qualidade e treinamento técnico para a população local em diferentes fluxos de trabalho, como mineração, carpintaria, engenharia e agricultura, para proporcionar a eles uma renda sustentável. www.furagems.com

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SOBRE A SOTHEBY’S

Fundada em 1744, a Sotheby’s é o principal destino do mundo de artigos de arte e luxo. A Sotheby’s promove o acesso e a aquisição de objetos extraordinários de arte e luxo por meio de leilões e canais de compra, incluindo vendas privadas, comércio eletrônico e varejo. Nosso mercado global confiável é apoiado por uma plataforma de tecnologia líder do setor e uma rede de especialistas abrangendo 40 países e 70 categorias, que incluem Arte Contemporânea, Arte Moderna e Impressionista, Grandes Mestres, Obras de Arte Chinesas, Joias, Relógios, Vinhos e Bebidas Destiladas e Design, bem como imóveis e carros para colecionadores. A Sotheby’s acredita no poder transformador da arte e da cultura e está empenhada em tornar os nossos setores mais inclusivos, sustentáveis e colaborativos.

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CONTATO NA FURA GEMS INC. FURA COMMUNICATION

GIANLUCA MAINA | GIANLUCA.MAINA@FURAGEMS.COM

CONTATO DO DEPARTAMENTO DE COMUNICAÇÃO DA SOTHEBY’S

AMANDA BASS | AMANDA.BASS@SOTHEBYS.COM

ROSE LOBELSON | ROSE.LOBELSON@SOTHEBYS.COM

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De la mine au forum : Sotheby’s va mettre aux enchères l’une des plus grandes découvertes de pierres précieuses du siècle

Estrela de Fura 55.22 carats_ Ruby (1)

 

Estrela de Fura, Ruby 55.22 carats
Estrela de Fura 55.22 carats_ Ruby (2)

 

Estrela de Fura, Ruby 55.22 carats
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Estrela de Fura, Ruby 55.22 carats

Estrela de Fura 55.22 cts

AVEC 55,22 CARATS, CETTE PIERRE PRÉCIEUSE RARE EST LE RUBIS LE PLUS GROS ET LE PLUS PRÉCIEUX JAMAIS PRÉSENTÉ AUX ENCHÈRES

DÉCOUVERT AU MOZAMBIQUE ET COUPÉ DANS UNE PIERRE BRUTE DE 101 CARATS, SON PRIX DE VENTE ANTICIPÉ EST ESTIMÉ À PLUS DE 30 MILLIONS DE DOLLARS

IL S’AGIT DU RUBIS DE QUALITÉ GEMME LE PLUS GROS EXISTANT AU MONDE — L’ESTRELA DE FURA 55.22 SERA LA STAR DES ENCHÈRES MAGNIFICENT JEWELS DE SOTHEBY’S EN JUIN PROCHAIN

« Déjà à l’état brut, l’Estrela de Fura a montré ses caractéristiques aux qualité extraordinaires et son potentiel à devenir une pierre précieuse unique en son genre.
Le tailleur s’est rendu compte de ce potentiel et a créé un rubis à facettes d’un poids stupéfiant de 55,22 carats, affichant une couleur rouge saturée et homogène, combinée à un degré de clarté jusque-là jamais observé dans d’autres rubis non chauffés de taille comparable.
Trouver un rubis naturel de cette taille, avec une telle combinaison de caractéristiques de qualité, sans besoin de traitement, était considéré comme presque inimaginable.
Le rubis naturel de 55,22 carats établit un nouveau record, non seulement pour les rubis mozambicains, mais également pour les rubis en général. »
Laboratoire Gübelin Gem

NEW YORK, 07 avr. 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lorsque FURA Gems a annoncé sa découverte historique du plus grand rubis de qualité gemme jamais découvert en septembre 2022, cette nouvelle a dominé les unes des journaux du monde entier, suscitant un incroyable enthousiasme, et prenant d’assaut le marché des pierres précieuses. Découverte dans la mine de rubis de FURA à Montepuez, au Mozambique, en juillet 2022, la pierre précieuse – pesant 101 carats – a ensuite été nommée Estrela de FURA (étoile de FURA en portugais), en clin d’œil à la profondeur exceptionnelle de sa couleur et à sa taille, et pour mettre en lumière le Mozambique en tant que riche source de rubis de qualité supérieure. Même dans son état brut et intact, Estrela de FURA était considérée par les experts comme un trésor exceptionnel de la nature pour sa fluorescence, sa clarté exceptionnelle et sa teinte rouge vif, connue sous le nom de « sang de pigeon » – une couleur traditionnellement associée uniquement aux rubis birmans.

Maintenant, sept mois après sa découverte, alors que le maillet s’abaissait pour le dernier lot d’une soirée exceptionnelle de mise aux enchères de produits de luxe à Hong Kong, les spéculations sur l’endroit où était gardé le rubis ont finalement trouvé réponse lorsque le commissaire-priseur de Sotheby’s, Uni Kim, a officiellement dévoilé Estrela de FURA 55.22 au monde entier. Pesant 55,22 carats, ce joyau exceptionnel et rare du Mozambique est le plus gros rubis de qualité gemme jamais mis aux enchères. La combinaison de l’intensité de sa couleur, vierge de tout traitement thermique, de son aspect incroyablement cristallin et de sa taille incomparable — avec une estimation à plus de 30 millions de dollars — fait d’Estrela de FURA 55.22 le rubis le plus précieux et le plus important jamais mis sur le marché.

Après une première série d’études sur le cristal brut de 101 carats pour déterminer les options de coupe au début de l’année, Estrela de FURA a été magistralement taillée et facettée par une équipe d’artisans — la pierre brute a été transformée en une belle pierre taillée en coussin, qui, selon un rapport de l’Institut suisse de gemmologie (SSEF), « a donné des teintes rouge vif en raison de multiples reflets internes ». « Un rubis naturel du Mozambique decette taille et de cette qualité peut être considéré comme très rare et donc comme un trésor exceptionnel de la nature ». Le joyau susmentionné est incroyablement riche en chrome qui, lorsqu’il est exposé à la lumière ultraviolette — comme on le trouve dans la lumière du soleil — conduit la pierre à rayonner une fluorescence couleur rouge ardent, accroissant encore l’éclat de la pierre, comme si elle était éclairée de l’intérieur.


Estrela de Fura 55.22 cts

Le rubis est devenu l’une des pierres précieuses colorées les plus recherchées, à une époque où la couleur domine le monde des bijoux et où la rareté stimule le marché. Les rubis de cette importance et de cette ampleur sont extrêmement rares. Seuls deux exemplaires ont déjà franchi la barre des 15 millions de dollars aux enchères, faisant de l’apparition du joyau actuel un événement historique en soi. Le Laboratoire Gübelin Gem indique en outre que le rubis « établit un nouveau record non seulement pour les rubis mozambicains, mais aussi pour les rubis en général ». Estrela de FURA 55.22 est sur le point d’entrer dans l’histoire alors qu’elle s’apprête à dépasser le Sunrise Ruby, un rubis de 25,59 carats d’origine birmane, qui s’est vendu pour 30,3 millions de dollars (1 185 451 dollars par carat) chez Sotheby’s à Genève en 2015, et qui détient toujours le record mondial de vente aux enchères pour un rubis*.

Le nouveau voyage de la pierre commence aujourd’hui à Sotheby’s Hong Kong, avant d’entamer une tournée mondiale, avec des expositions prévues à Taipei, en Chine, à Singapour, à Genève et à Dubaï (les dates complètes seront publiées en temps opportun) avant de participer à la vente aux enchères Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels à New York le 8 juin.

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« La découverte miraculeuse l’année dernière du rubis Estrela de FURA de 101 carats dans la mine de FURA au Mozambique a été d’une immense importance, choquant toutes les personnes intéressées par le monde de la bijouterie. Aujourd’hui, dans son état nouvellement transformé de 55,22 carats, Estrela de FURA 55.22, est une véritable merveille de la nature et une pierre sensationnelle de couleur parfaite et de clarté exceptionnelle, combinée à une superbe forme en coussin. Ce rubis est sans aucun doute en lice pour devenir le porte-étendard des rubis africains — et des pierres précieuses en général, sensibilisant le monde entier à leur capacité à égaler, et même à surpasser, ceux de Birmanie, qui ont traditionnellement été la source la plus désirable et la plus reconnaissable de rubis », déclare Quig Bruning, directeur de Sotheby’s Jewelry, Amériques.

« Chez FURA, nous sommes extrêmement fiers de la découverte d’Estrela de FURA à un stade aussi précoce de notre voyage au Mozambique. Les pierres précieuses importantes, telles que l’Estrela de FURA, sont extrêmement rares, et un rubis de qualité gemme à facettes de 55,22 carats est presque inédit. Depuis l’analyse et l’étude approfondies de la pierre jusqu’au processus de taille et de polissage, nous avons travaillé avec le plus grand soin et le plus grand respect pour le rubis, conscients de son importance et de sa stature. Assister à la finalisation de l’Estrela de FURA 55.22 a été une réussite monumentale pour nous tous, et nous sommes ravis qu’une nouvelle page de l’histoire de ce joyau incroyable, et des rubis mozambicains, soit sur le point d’être écrite avec Sotheby’s », déclare Dev Shetty, fondateur et PDG de FURA Gems.

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EXTRACTION DE RUBIS AU MOZAMBIQUE

L’extraction de rubis au Mozambique a une longue et riche histoire, et les premières découvertes importantes de gisements de rubis dans le pays remontent aux années 1960. Cependant, ce n’est qu’au début des années 2000 que l’extraction des rubis au Mozambique a pris un véritable essor, avec la découverte du gisement de rubis de Montepuez dans la partie nord du pays, où le cristal brut d’Estrela de FURA a été découvert. Les meilleurs rubis du Mozambique se caractérisent par une transparence exceptionnelle et une couleur riche, ce qui leur confère une qualité globale. Le gisement de rubis de Montepuez est l’un des plus grands gisements de rubis au monde et suscite l’intérêt de sociétés minières internationales.

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NOTE AUX ÉDITEURS

* Le record du monde actuel pour un rubis vendu aux enchères est détenu par le « Sunrise Ruby », une pierre birmane de 25,59 carats, qui a été vendue aux enchères chez Sotheby’s à Genève en mai 2015 pour 30,3 millions de dollars. À l’époque, ce prix établissait également un nouveau record pour tout carat de rubis (1 185 451 $ par carat).

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À PROPOS DE FURA GEMS

Créée en 2017, FURA Gems Inc. est une société spécialisée dans l’extraction et la commercialisation de pierres précieuses de couleur. Basée à Dubaï, aux Émirats arabes unis, FURA compte plus de 1 200 employés sur tous les continents. Il s’agit de la première entreprise pionnière, créative et éthique à couvrir l’ensemble de la gamme des pierres précieuses de couleur.

FURA possède trois filiales minières en Colombie, au Mozambique et en Australie qui extraient respectivement des émeraudes, des rubis et des saphirs. Il s’agit de la société d’extraction de pierres précieuses de couleur qui connaît la plus forte croissance, tout en assurant la stabilité et la traçabilité des pierres précieuses de couleur extraites de manière éthique, depuis l’état brut à la commercialisation de la pierre.

FURA Gems allouera une partie du produit de la vente à la création de la Fura Training Academy, afin de soutenir la communauté dans laquelle elle opère au Mozambique.

L’objectif principal est de promouvoir l’accès à une éducation qualifiée et à une formation technique pour la population locale dans différents domaines d’activité tels que l’exploitation minière, la menuiserie, l’ingénierie et l’agriculture, afin de leur fournir un revenu durable. www.furagems.com

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À PROPOS DE SOTHEBY’S

Maison fondée en 1744, Sotheby’s est la première destination mondiale pour l’art et le luxe. Sotheby’s favorise l’accès et la possession d’œuvres d’art et d’objets de luxe exceptionnels par le biais de ventes aux enchères et de canaux d’achat immédiat, y compris les ventes privées, le commerce électronique et la vente au détail. Notre marché mondial de confiance s’appuie sur une plate-forme technologique de pointe et un réseau de spécialistes couvrant 40 pays et 70 catégories, dont l’art contemporain, l’art moderne et impressionniste, les maîtres anciens, les œuvres d’art chinoises, les bijoux, les montres, les vins et spiritueux et le design, ainsi que les voitures de collection et les biens immobiliers. Sotheby’s croit au pouvoir transformateur de l’art et de la culture et s’engage à rendre nos industries plus inclusives, durables et collaboratives.

CONTACT – FURA GEMS INC. FURA COMMUNICATION

GIANLUCA MAINA | GIANLUCA.MAINA@FURAGEMS.COM

CONTACT — SOTHEBY’S COMMUNICATION
AMANDA BASSE | AMANDA.BASS@SOTHEBYS.COM
ROSE LOBELSON | ROSE.LOBELSON@SOTHEBYS.COM

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Gov’t Urged To Prioritise Investing In Irrigation Systems

The Government has been urged to invest more in irrigation projects in the country so as to boost food security.

Latia Resource Centre Foundation Director, David Bett, noted that with the current erratic weather patterns occasioned by the effects of climate change, it was no longer viable to rely on rain-fed agriculture.

Speaking in Isinya while distributing start-up kits to over 30 youth at the Latia Agripreneuship Institute, Bett said agriculture was the backbone of country’s economy and construction of mega dams and drilling of high yielding boreholes to facilitate irrigation farming will help solve the persistent food crisis.

The Director noted that irrigation schemes will provide a reliable source of income and livelihoods for small-scale farmers who usually rely on unpredictable rain-fed agriculture.

‘The prolonged drought has made us realize that we can no longer rely on rain-fed agriculture. I want to urge both national and county governments to invest in provision of water through dams and boreholes for irrigation,’ he said.

Bett revealed that sinking boreholes and constructing dams was costly and the government must chip in and assist the farmers so that they concentrate on food production without any worries of water shortages.

The Director further called on the government to link farmers with markets for their produce to ensure that they do not incur losses.

‘Linking farmers with ready markets will enable them to sell their produce without any hindrance, thus ensuring that their produce does not rot in the farms.

Antony Chege, Ajira Digital Program Regional Coordinator, urged farmers to embrace the use of technology in marketing their produce.

Chege said the use of social media and other agricultural Apps to market their produce online will connect farmers to local and international markets, thereby enabling them to reap more profits.

‘Marketing agricultural produce online will enable farmers to access a wider and ready markets both locally and internationally as the reach is wide,’ he said.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Tea Factory Eyes Local Market To Increase Earnings

Ngere Tea Factory in Gatanga Sub-county of Murang’a, has commenced packaging and branding of 20 per cent of its product for sale in the local market.

The Factory Board aims at increasing its earnings by selling part of its production in the local market.

This move will see the factory stop depending on selling its goods through the Mombasa Tea Auction, a process which is often affected by fluctuation in international prices.

The factory, allied to the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), produces more than 800, 000 kilos of tea per month which is sold through auction.

Chairperson of the factory, Joseph Karanja, speaking when launching the project, said they will be packaged as low as 20 grams of tea leaves, targeting small earners.

The packaged product, branded as Highland Classic tea, according to Karanja was a way of doing value addition, noting that a kilo of the branded tea, will now be selling at Sh400 in the local market.

‘Our farmers need more earnings, but solely selling our production through the Mombasa Auction Centre cannot bring us much income, considering the prices there sometimes slump to about US 2.40 and USD 4 per kilo,’ he stated.

The Chairperson continued, ‘through auction, we are at the mercy of the global market, which keeps on changing depending on various factors. Kenyans use tea and as a factory we want our commodity to be sold locally,’

Karanja added that the local market will help the factory get a consistent price that will enable them to stabilize their cash flow, while giving farmers a guaranteed return.

The factory has more than 9, 000 active farmers who deliver their green leaf in the facility.

The Chairperson observed that the climate change that has caused prolonged drought, has seen farmers’ earnings dwindle in the recent past, underscoring the need to come-up with measures that will ensure farmers benefit from their hard work.

He added that the factory plans to roll-out several brands of tea, targeting both local and international markets.

‘We have done a survey to guide us on the type of tea Kenyans want. We will have several brands of premium tea being branded and packaged for international markets,’ he asserted.

Karanja stated, ‘Kenyans now have a chance of tasting our own tea and once they do, they will not regret it. We have packaged it in small packages, to make it accessible to Kenyans of all walks of life.’

He added that due to the high quality tea produced by local farmers, the demand for the same was high and that it had buyers who exclusively buy it at the Auction.

Meanwhile, the project is in line with the government’s plan to boost value addition, with a view to empowering farmers, who have for a long time contended with meager pay.

Chairman of KTDA, David Ichoho, who graced the occasion hailed the move by Ngere factory, to do value addition of their tea.

He said the move will not only enable the factory to increase its earnings, but will also create employment opportunities for the youth.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Government Out To Attract Investments Into Mining Sector

The government is attracting investments into the mining sector to help turn around the economy of the country.

Mining Principal Secretary (PS) Elijah Mwangi Mwangi has said the national government is committed to streamlining the lucrative mining sector to unlock its full potential through the Mining Act of 2016.

He says the Act adopted in 2016 is clear on the country’s vision for the responsible and sustainable development of the mining industry.

Mwangi said mining is expected to play an important role in supporting the country’s positive socio-economic growth and development.

He further noted that the mining law that replaced the Mining Act Cap. 306 of 1940, is expected to provide policy stability, promote sound mining, restore investors’ confidence and spur investment in the industry.

Speaking when he led members of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining, on a tour of the Base Titanium Kwale Mine Site, the PS said streamlining the extractive sector was crucial in ensuring it contributes significant revenue to the National Treasury

The MPs were led by the committee’s Vice-Chairperson, Charles Kamuren, who is also the MP Baringo South.

Also on the team were Commissioner of Mines and Geology, Raymond Mutiso, National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), Deputy Director, Field Operations, Robert Orina and Director of Ecological Restoration, Erick Akotsi, among senior government officials.

The leaders were on a familiarization visit to understand and have a glimpse of Base Titanium’s World Class Mining Operations, including its rehabilitation and ecological restoration on mined-out land.

Base Titanium that commenced production in 2013 operates on the Kenyan South Coast, extracting minerals mainly ilmenite, rutile and zircon and is accredited as a vision 2030 flagship mining project.

The leaders also had an opportunity to meet the communities living near the mine site and hear their views on how the Kwale Mine Project has helped them by developing sustainable community programs to improve their livelihoods.

Base Titanium’s External Affairs Manager, Dr. Melba Wasunna, who received the delegation said the Kwale based Australian owned mining firm is anticipating the National government will lift the moratorium on mining licenses to pave way for explorations and possible expansion of its operations in Kenya.

The freeze on issuance of licenses was put in place in 2019 to pave way for the large-scale mapping of the country’s mineral deposits.

The government soon after embarked on large scale minerals and extractive resource mapping across the country to help in identifying the location and size of new mineral deposits.

The mineral resource mapping is hoped to attract new exploration companies to locate ‘bankable’ strategic mineral deposits that are considered commercially viable and increase revenue from a potentially lucrative mining industry.

Deposits of rare minerals found in the country include coal, gypsum, fluorspar, rubies, Zircon gemstone, gold, sapphires, silver, titanium, manganese and other rare earth minerals besides holding gas reserves.

Dr. Wasunna said the mining firm is keen to further expand its operations, having applied for three prospecting licenses for Ramisi area in Msambweni Sub-county, Kuranzi area near the Kwale-Taita Taveta counties border and Lamu County.

‘We are pegging our hopes on the lifting of the moratorium because as things stand now, our current mine-life ends in October 2024,’ she said.

Dr. Wasunna contended that the mining firm is determined to ensure land disturbed by mining activities, is returned to a sustainable post-mining land use.

She said the mining firm’s agricultural projects currently comprising large scale potato and cotton farming for communities living near the mine sites, is intended to be the ‘engine room’ for community development that will outlast the life of the mine.

She said as the largest mine in Kenya, Base Titanium has been and continues to be a huge success, contributing about 65 per cent of Kenya’s mineral output value.

Base Titanium’s External Affairs Manager, said government revenues from Base are estimated at a total of Sh. 23 billion over the current mine life, with Sh.3.7 billion being spent annually on purchases from Kenya businesses by the company, which has employed more than 1,600 local people.

The PS said the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs is soon going to lift the moratorium, to ensure that the country continues to be a strong investment destination.

He said the government is working closely with all stakeholders to see the moratorium lifted, as soon as possible in a bid to unlock new investment and boost government revenues.

‘The moratorium probably negatively impacted on the mining sector development, but once we lift it we hope all applications will be processed quickly and efficiently,’ he said.

On his part, Kamuren said his Committee was of the view that Kenyans should be able to benefit from the country’s mineral resources and be empowered to participate in the exploration activities.

The Committee’s Vice-Chairperson encouraged mining firms in the country to add value to their products before it is shipped out, saying that this would benefit Kenya more in terms of job creation, income generation and poverty eradication ventures.

Source: Kenya News Agency