The rare stone was discovered at its Cullinan mine, 40 kilometres north-east of Pretoria, and represents one of the most exceptional stones recovered at Cullinan during Petra's operation of the mine. Indeed it isn’t the first of its kind, what with the company having also unearthed a 25.5 carat blue diamond in 2013, which went on to sell for $16.9 million. Understandably the company’s latest discovery is also expected to sell for a substantial price.

Building upon a pedigree and wealth of skills that stretch back decades, Exxaro Resources may be a relatively young business, but it has already solidified itself as one of South Africa’s largest diversified resources groups. Boasting interests in coal, mineral sands, ferrous and energy commodities, it is the country’s second largest coal producer with current production levels reaching 47 million tonnes per annum (mtpa).

The Perth waterfront has been an under-used asset, but now Western Australia’s capital city is finally making the most of it with the $2.6billion Elizabeth Quay project covering nearly ten hectares of prime riverfront land between Barrack and William streets in the heart of the city. The project will create a magnificent precinct featuring a newly dug 2.7 hectare inlet surrounded by a split level promenade, shops, cafés, restaurants and other exciting entertainment venues.

It is no exaggeration to say that the future of African economic development, in the near to mid term at least, is inextricably linked with its mineral resources. It is these that will provide the capital that can be re-invested in building a sustainable business infrastructure whether in manufacturing, services or technology and innovation.

Next year more than half of UK firms expect to create new jobs according to a survey released this month from CBI/Accenture called, ‘On the up’. The report stated that 51% of firms expect their workforce to be larger this time next year, the highest figure since the start of the recession in 2008.

With more jobs being created and the UK finally experiencing economic growth, 2014 could prove a fresh start for many people who have been considering a new job or a change of career but have held off looking during the recession.

In this age of dynamic information technology developments power is being distributed like never before. For example, Andrew Haldane, Executive Director for Financial Stability at the Bank of England, writing in The Spectator (2 November 2013) notes that at the root of banking is market information. Banks have been the middlemen between savers and borrowers. The arrival of the great icons of the peer-to-peer market place, Amazon, Google and eBay have cut out the middleman and it is this disintermediation that marks the revolution of our Age.

The two blocks, the inland Block B and offshore Block 15, were offered to the company on a nomination basis following a meeting between India’s Oil and Natural Gas Minister, Veerappa Moily, and Sudan’s Petroleum Minister, Hatim Abuelgasin Mukhtar M Elamin, last week. Should the offer be accepted ONGC Videsh would have 100 percent right of investment in the blocks in Block B, which are reported to have established oil reserves, and Block 15, which is currently at the exploratory stage.