De Beers Consolidated Mines (DBCM) has at last been awarded prospecting licences to conduct modern diamond exploration. At the time of going to press, the first 16 of 54 applications had been received by a delighted DBCM CEO Phillip Barton. All 16 target highly prospective areas in the Kimberley region of the Northern Cape, where it all began 130 years ago. The winds of change are indeed blowing, which has prompted Barton to say: “I’m quite excited about the potential of one day going back to Kimberley in glory.” DBCM has the unique benefit of using its vast databank of geological information and subjecting it to the latest technology in its pursuit of viable new South African diamond mines.