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Johannesburg - The European Islamic Investment Bank (EIIB) has increased its stake in JSE and AIM-listed DiamondCorp to 26.7% from 9.37%, becoming the largest shareholder in the junior diamond mining company.
According to EIIB's website, the founding members of the bank include "Gulf-based individuals and institutions, including a number of Islamic banks, as well as individuals and companies based in Europe".
That makes DiamondCorp the second diamond miner in which Middle Eastern investors have recently built up substantial stakes.
The other is Petra Diamonds, which is now controlled by two Saudi Arabian companies - Saad Investments and Al Rajhi Holdings.
Saad Investments has increased its shareholding in Petra over the past year from 29% to 41.2%, while Al Rajhi has raised its stake from 7.8% to 9% over the same period.
Al Rajhi also participated directly in Petra's purchase of the Cullinan diamond mine near Pretoria from De Beers for R1bn.
Al Rajhi put up most of the money, limiting Petra's cash outlay to R325m. Both companies have an effective 37% stake in Cullinan, but Petra holds "buy back" options to raise its stake to 60% by end-2013 and drop Al Rajhi's stake to 14%.
Top diamond juniors
Saad and Al Rajhi bought into Petra as the company's share price dropped in recent months, despite the fact that Petra's operations are generating profits unlike many of its competitors which are still at the exploration and development stage.
Petra and Gem Diamonds are the two top junior diamond companies, as rated by RBC Capital Markets analyst Des Kilalea.
In a report on Petra he said: "Petra's share price is underpinned to some extent by two large shareholders, which have used p
"As is the case with Gem, low share prices must boost the case to delist given that they are both generating cash; in Petra's case, it has two apparently supportive shareholders should funding be required."
DiamondCorp is developing the Lace kimberlite diamond mine near Kroonstad in the Free State, where De Beers last week officially opened its Voorspoed mine.
DiamondCorp CEO Paul Loudon said: "This investment demonstrates EIIB's confidence in the underlying fundamentals of the diamond market, including the long-term supply shortage which should lead to a strengthening in diamond prices.
"DiamondCorp's plan to grow as a mid-tier diamond producer in the years ahead has the potential to benefit from EIIB's access to capital and backing by very large Middle Eastern investors."
- Miningmx.com