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647-Carat Diamond in Minas Gerais Targeted by Federal Police; Investigation Probes Origin and Possible Irregularities in Mining.
The Federal Police (PF) conducted searches in Coromandel and Nova Ponte, in Alto Paranaíba, last Thursday (25/9), as part of the investigation into the origin of the 647-carat diamond — the second largest ever found in Brazil.
The operation occurs amid suspicions of theft and diversion of the gemstone, which is said to have been presented by Diadel Mineração, a company claiming to have found the gem in its exploration area.
The case gained national attention for involving official documents, allegations of irregularities, and the possible involvement of well-known figures in the gemstone market.
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Federal Police Investigates the Origin of the Giant Diamond
According to reports, the search and seizure warrants from the PF targeted residences in Coromandel and Nova Ponte.
In one of the houses, the investigated individual is said to be a known intermediary in the gemstone trade, suspected of participating in the diversion of the 647-carat diamond.
The central point of the investigation is to determine whether the stone was indeed extracted from the Rio Douradinho in Coromandel, as claimed by Diadel Mineração, or if it came from the Rio Araguari, in an area belonging to Carbono Mineração, in Araguari, in the Triângulo Mineiro.
Diadel Mineração Defends Itself Against the Accusations
Diadel Mineração has publicly commented on the case for the first time. In a statement signed by managing partner Carlos César Manhas, the company rejected the allegations and stated that “any claim that the diamond was stolen from another location is absolutely false and unfounded.”
The company also claims that representatives from the National Mining Agency (ANM) accompanied the discovery on-site, confirming the legality of the extraction.
However, the ANM itself did not confirm the presence of inspectors on the reported day, highlighting that the last official inspection took place months earlier, in May.
The Role of the National Mining Agency
The ANM, responsible for regulating and supervising mining activity, clarified that the processes related to the Kimberley Process Certificate (KPC) are confidential.
This document is essential for allowing the export of diamonds and preventing the circulation of illegal gems in the international market.
The diamond in question was seized on August 27, exactly on the day it was to receive the KPC seal. The agency also emphasized that it strictly adheres to current legislation, ensuring transparency within legal limits.
Documents and Evidence Under Review
Among the evidence requested by the PF are records of weighing, export invoices, and official images of the gem.
These photographs contain metadata — such as date, time, and even GPS coordinates — that can confirm whether the diamond was indeed extracted at the reported location.
Half of the deadline given for Diadel to present the documents has already elapsed. For investigators, this information could be crucial in clarifying whether there was an attempt to “sanitize” the precious stone.
Suspicious Negotiation and Below-Market Price
The controversy intensified when videos and photos of the 647-carat diamond began circulating on social media.
In some images, the trader Oswaldo Borges da Costa Netto, known as Wado Borges, is seen displaying the stone inside an airplane.
Industry sources revealed that representatives of buyers from Antwerp, Belgium, were in Brazil negotiating the diamond.
The estimated value of the transaction, between R$ 16 million and R$ 18 million, raised suspicions, as experts believe the gem could fetch up to R$ 50 million in international auctions.
History of the Mining Company and the Sector in Minas Gerais
Founded in 2004, Diadel Mineração has a history of operation in Coromandel, one of the richest diamond regions in Minas Gerais.
Its partner, Carlos César Manhas, has previously been involved in PF investigations relating to the illegal trade of gemstones, although he currently holds a consolidated position in the sector.
This episode reignites debates about regulation, transparency, and the vulnerabilities in the exploration of mineral resources in Brazil, especially in Minas Gerais, where artisanal mining generates fortunes but also raises suspicions of irregularities.
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