The company, as part of its periodic tenders, had already sold diamonds from its Finsch mine, also in SA, and its Williamson mine in Tanzania before US President Donald Trump unleashed a barrage of tariffs last week.

These tariffs, applicable on US imports ranging from dental floss to diamonds, have left companies globally scrambling to rethink their business and sparked concerns of a trade war that would stunt economic growth.

SA is one of the biggest exporters of diamonds to the US along with India.

Petra, already struggling with widening losses due to prolonged weakness in the diamond market, is in the midst of a restructuring plan.

Moreover, the iconic Cullinan mine, from where the largest ever gem-quality diamond was recovered 120 years ago, has been producing fewer high-quality diamonds recently.

--Reuters--