JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – The World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) on Monday expressed its sorrow over the death of partially State-owned Russian diamond producer Alrosa’s former president Fyodor Andreev on Friday.
Andreev, 47, who stepped down last September for medical reasons after serving as president of the diamond producer for five years, was buried in Moscow on Monday, according to a statement released by Alrosa.
“We knew that Andreev had been sick for the past several months and was receiving treatment, but it came as a shock to hear of his death, especially at such an early age,” WFDB president Ernest Blom said of Andreev, who was born in Voronezh on August 16, 1966.
A Leningrad State University political economy graduate, Andreev had served as Alrosa’s first vice-president in charge of finance and economics during 2002, moving on in 2003 to hold key positions at Russian Railways, before returning in 2009 to lead the diamond mining company.
The relations between Alrosa and the WFDB were established under his presidency.
“Andreev will be missed in the diamond industry but remembered for his contribution and vision in building a stronger global industry,” Blom concluded.