Williamson diamond mine

Williamson diamond mine (Mwadui)

Williamson Diamonds Limited
Location
Williamson diamond mine Location in Tanzania Show map of Tanzania Williamson diamond mine Williamson diamond mine (Africa) Show map of Africa Williamson diamond mine Williamson diamond mine (Earth) Show map of Earth
Country	Tanzania
Coordinates	03°31′S 033°36′E / 3.517°S 33.600°E / -3.517; 33.600
Production
Products	Diamonds (300,000 carats per annum)
History
Opened	1940
Owner
Company	Petra Diamonds (75%) Government of Tanzania (25%)

The Williamson Diamond Mine (also known as the Mwadui mine) is a diamond mine 23 kilometres (14 mi) northeast of Shinyanga in Tanzania; it became well known as the first significant diamond mine outside of South Africa. The kimberlite pipe was found in March 1940 and the mine established by John Williamson, a Canadian geologist,^[1] and has been continuous operation since then, making it one of the oldest continuously operating diamond mines in the world. Over its lifetime it has produced over 19 million carats (3,800 kg) of diamonds. A 2020 report by The Guardian said that high-quality pink diamonds from the mine could value up to $700,000 a carat.^[2]

The Williamson mine was once owned by its namesake Williamson and later nationalized by the government of Tanzania. Since February 2009 the mine is mostly owned by Petra Diamonds, with 75% ownership, the government of Tanzania owning the remaining 25%.^[3] In 2020, the mine came under scrutiny because of alleged human rights violations.^[2]