Williamson
Diamonds Limited
Eighty-six years of continuous production from the world's largest economically exploitable kimberlite pipe — and the source of the rarest pink diamonds on earth.
The Mine that Gave the World
its Rarest Pink Diamonds
The Williamson Diamond Mine — also known as the Mwadui Mine — sits 23km northeast of Shinyanga. Discovered in March 1940 by Dr. John Williamson, it became the first significant diamond mine outside South Africa, and has operated continuously ever since.
The mine is famed worldwide for its rare pink diamonds, including the legendary 54.5-carat rough stone discovered in 1947 — later cut to 23.6 carats and presented to Queen Elizabeth II as a wedding gift. As of 2025, the operation is 100% Tanzanian-owned, under Pink Diamonds Investments Limited, an affiliate of Taifa Group.
From Ore to Rare Stone
Four stages turn kimberlite rock into the world's rarest diamonds — engineered for consistency, recovery, and responsibility.
Efficient Open-Pit Mining
Mining begins with controlled drilling and blasting to access the kimberlite ore body. Blasted material is loaded and hauled by heavy-duty equipment to the processing plant, ensuring a steady supply of ore for continuous production.

Advanced Ore Processing
Extracted ore is crushed, screened, scrubbed and milled — reducing material size and preparing it for diamond recovery, with modern plant systems ensuring consistency and minimal loss.

Precision Diamond Recovery
Material passes through Dense Media Separation, then X-ray sorting systems identify and recover diamonds — maximizing the yield of both standard and rare high-value stones.

Sustainable Operations
Waste is managed through engineered tailings storage, and process water is recycled to reduce environmental impact — sustainability built into every stage of operation.

Beyond Operations — a Long-Term Commitment
At Williamson Diamonds Limited, sustainability is a long-term commitment to creating value while protecting the environment, empowering communities, and ensuring responsible resource management at the Mwadui Diamond Mine.
Read More