VENTURE CAPITAL POST

South Africa's output in the manufacturing and mining sector might not be a good sign to start the year right. More mining sites stopped their operations creating illegal mining. The president should do something as investors are skeptical on how he handles the country's economic situation.

The Zimbabwe government will now take control all of the mining fields in the country as the state is being robbed of its wealth. Billions of dollars have been stolen from the nation's treasure chest because of smuggling and swinding according to President Mugabe.

'Blood Diamond' Actor Leonardo DiCaprio and 10 billionaires invested in the Santa Clara-based startup Diamond Foundry. It is a company that ambitions to produce diamonds in a lab that are equal in quality with natural gems without the exploitation that mining industries impose.

The family businesses that make up the global diamond trade have seen their profits wiped out over the past five years, hit by shaky financing, increased costs and uncertain demand from customers who prefer hi-tech gadgets to bling.

Melbourne, Victoria-based diamond mining firm Merlin Diamonds raised $2 million by selling 26 million of its shares at $0.75 apiece to Singapore-based investment holding firm Blumont Group for the development of its diamond mine in the Northern Territory of Australia.