The 203-carat, type IIa diamond is also the third 100-carat-plus stone found at the Angolan mine this year.

Last year, Barrick said it intended to search for additional copper deposits in Zambia and the DRC as part of its efforts to expand its presence in the African copper belt.

Zimplats did not say how many of the 8,000 permanent and contract jobs were targeted.

Perseus seeks to beat out Canadian rival Silvercorp Metals in acquiring the Africa-focused gold explorer.

The shaft was forecast to produce an average of 54,000 platinum group metal ounces in 2024.

The military coup in July led the U.S. to suspend government funding for Dasa, but the company raised C$15 million in January.