Non-Diamantaires Enter Mining in Sierra Leone
January 04, 04
The so-called “King of parking lots”, an Israeli businessman that raked in millions of dollars in parking fees, has partnered with an Israeli lawyer to buy and operate a diamond mine in Sierra Leone.
Reoven Gross, an Israeli that holds and operates dozens of parking lots in the greater Tel Aviv area, joined attorney Yigal Shapira in purchasing a 100 sq km area in the Bo region of Sierra Leone.
It is not known what is the production potential of the mine, which has been through the test phase already.
Shapira, who has good relations with the local chiefs in the Bo area, was involved in the release efforts from a Sierra Leone prison of an Israeli businessman in 1999 when he learned of the diamond mining potential of the country.
Two years ago the mine was discovered and since the two have invested several million dollars in developing it.
According to the Israeli daily Maariv, the two are currently looking for additional partners and plan to market the production in Israel, which is looking for additional sources of rough.
Diamond industry analyst Chaim Even-Zohar of Tacy Ltd is acting as a professional advisor to the mining venture.