strong rand hammers sa gem-mines, page-2

strong rand an issue for sth africa why Because even more so than australia they are so dependant upon resources to generate national income - and a strong resources sector and prices is going to eventually equal a stronger rand - their industrial and agricultural and services base is much less developed than australia - at least here a strong AUS$ has benefits - over there it plays havoc with their resources sector.

That said de beers needs to refine and close those loss makers until comes a time when a weaker rand makes them profitable agian.