African Consolidated Resources (ACR) will commmission its first gold mine in Zimbabwe in the second half of next year as the company steps up efforts to consolidate its presence in the country's gold sector.

The Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation has discovered gold and massive iron ore deposits at its emerald and tantalite Sandawana Mine in Mberengwa District.

Two diamond mining companies that were recently placed on the United States government sanctions list have said the embargo will not affect their operations and marketing of the gems.