Panelist Biographies

Amb. Peter Kirimi Kaberia is currently the Principal Secretary, State Department for Mining,  Ministry of Petroleum and Mining. As a career diplomat, he has previously served as Kenya’s Ambassador to Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Venezuela. He has served in the Kenyan Embassies in Madrid and France as a Counsellor and Head of Chancery and also served in the Kenya embassy in Washington DC.

Mrs. Georgette Sakyi-Addo is founder of the Georgette Barnes Ltd, a wholly Ghanaian-owned mining and exploration services company. In 2015 she established the Women In Mining Ghana as an advocacy body for all women working in the mining sector. She is also President of Accra Mining Network. In 2016, Mrs. Sakyi-Addo was selected among 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining by WIM UK. In 2018, she was awarded the Female Entrepreneur of the Year by Invest in Africa (IIA), a non-profit organization, which champions African-owned SMEs across the Continent. Georgette is currently the President of the Africa Women in Mining Association (AWIMA).

Miriam Wairimu Kamau is founder and director of Mimo Gem Traders. She is a respected woman miner and gem dealer in the region and internationally. She is currently a Board member of the Association of Women in Extractives in Kenya (AWEIK) and has previously served in the Board of the Kenya Chamber of Mines (KCM) as well as been an ambassador of the International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA). She is also a member of the Women’s Jewelry Association.

Dr. Cedric Simonet is a business Manager in the natural resources sector, a Geologist and a Gemologist, with over 20 years experience in a wide range of commodities in positions covering exploration, mine management, business management, environment. Based in Kenya, he is currently a director of Akili Minerals Services (mineral exploration services provider), of Pinsapo Kenya Ltd (gold mine development), and an international consultant in mineral exploration and mine development (current projects in Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, Zambia and Nigeria).

He has extensive experience in working with artisan miners in Kenya and Tanzania, in a commercial context, and practical experience in operating small scale gemstone and gold prospecting and mining operations. With a PhD in Geology of ruby and sapphire deposits, and over 20 years’ experience in running and advising colored gemstone operations, he is one of very few experts in the geology and exploitation of colored gemstones deposits.

Evan Caplan is widely considered to be one of the finest and knowledgeable colored stone professionals of our time. He has been trained at the Gemological Institute of America, the worlds leading school of Gemology and quickly achieved its highest degree of Graduate Gemologist. Mr. Caplan was one of the first people to bring the unique Paraiba tourmaline to America.  He, along with several others, was responsible for the cutting and eventual sale of the world’s largest Padparadscha sapphire. Mr. Caplan has become a leading authority on Alexandrite and often lectures on this truly remarkable gem.

Pravin Harjivan Maru is the founder and director of Maru Craft Ltd. Having been in operation for more than 30 years, he specializes in local and international jewelry designing and handcraft of Gold, Silver, precious and semi-precious stones.

Stella Opakas is currently the Director Mineral Resources, Turkana County and has previously worked in various capacities in Kenol Kobil, National Oil Corporation of Kenya and Kenya Petroleum Refineries. She is a graduate of Chemical Engineering from the Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas, Moscow, Russia