The State Diamond Trader and diamond mining giant De Beers, on Monday signed a deal to allow the new trader to acquire 10 percent of all diamonds mined in South Africa. In what Minerals and Energy Minister Buyelwa Sonjica described as "a big leap towards transformation" these diamonds would be sold on to emerging crafts-people in the diamond industry. The crafters will cut and polish the gems, at a profit, before they are placed on the market. The intention, said Ms Sonjica, is to boost downstream industry in South Africa to a point where a considerable amount of value-addition to the country's minerals can happen locally.

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