Jun 17 2014
Brazil Minerals, Inc. (the "Company" or "BMIX"), a U.S. holding company with revenues from diamonds and gold, announced today that it has built a proprietary facility in Brazil for cutting and polishing diamonds mined by its subsidiary, Mineração Duas Barras Ltda ("Duas Barras").
Duas Barras mines diamonds and gold from its mining concession in Brazil and owns the largest alluvial processing plant for diamonds and gold in Latin America. As polished diamonds sell for ten times or more, on a per carat basis, than rough diamonds, BMIX believes that this facility will substantially increase its revenues over time.
Brazil Minerals (BMIX) Diamond and Gold Mine
BMIX's facility for cutting and polishing diamonds will be initially staffed by a master cutter and polisher, with over 20 years of experience, and his assistant, as well as support personnel. BMIX obtained in 2013 the necessary licenses from the Brazilian federal authority to be able to export polished or rough diamonds mined from Duas Barras. BMIX has since sold its own polished diamonds to a multi-store jewelry chain in Brazil, which has been in business since 1944, as well as to private investors abroad.
BMIX's strategy is to make Duas Barras vertically integrated as a miner of rough diamonds and gold and producer of polished diamonds. In 2013, its first year of operations with Duas Barras, BMIX had revenues of $791,780, of which 69% was from rough diamond sales and 31% from gold sales. In 2014, BMIX has already sold $1,025,000 in polished diamonds for forward delivery.
Marc Fogassa, Chairman and CEO of BMIX, commented, "This facility to produce polished diamonds, from a small part of the total production, is another step in making Duas Barras an integrated operation. Over time, for part of the production, we will go from rocks to online retail, while keeping the entire diamond profit margin for ourselves. It is a goal with many steps, but we are advancing daily."
About Brazil Minerals, Inc.
Brazil Minerals, Inc. (OTCQB: BMIX), a U.S. holding corporation, has ownership of 73.75% of Duas Barras, a Brazilian mining company with revenues from diamonds and gold. BMIX also owns stakes in other subsidiaries in Brazil with assets and options on projects in diamonds, gold, titanium, vanadium and iron in Brazil. More information on BMIX, including an investor presentation, can be found at www.brazil-minerals.com.