The company also sold its 50% interest in the Sengwa colliery to RZ Murowa. Rio Tinto said the future of the assets can be best managed by entities with existing interests in Zimbabwe.
RioZim, a Zimbabwe-listed Rio Tinto subsidiary that already owns 22% of Murowa Diamonds and the other 50% of Sengwa, will assume overall management of both entities.
Rio Tinto Diamonds and Minerals chief executive Alan Davies said: "Rio Tinto remains committed to the diamond industry and is focused on operating its two world-class underground mines whilst obtaining the approvals for its advanced diamond project in India."
The Murowa diamond mine is an open pit mining operation situated near Zvishavane in south-central Zimbabwe.
Production from the facility started in 2004 with a current capability of about 400,000 carats per annum of large, white, gem-quality diamonds.
The company produced more than one million carats since 2004 and sold internationally markets with 10% of Murowa Diamonds’ production reserved for the local Zimbabwe cutting and polishing industry.
