Zimbabwe diamonds under scrutiny

Enviromine

Publishing Date: 01 Jun 2010 4:36pm GMT
Author: Mining, People and the Environment

Corporate Social Responsibility CSR Legal and Legislation

The Zimbabwean government has banned the export of diamonds from any mine operating in the country until the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) certifies the sale of diamonds from Chia-dzwa, The Herald newspaper has reported.

In an interview with the newspaper, mines and mining development minister Obert Mpofu said communication had been made to River Ranch and Rio Tinto-owned Murowa Diamonds on the government’s decision.

“I have suspended all diamond exports from Zimbabwe with immediate effect until the issue of the KPCS has been sorted out. That means Murowa and River Ranch are also affected,” the minister told The Herald.

The announcement came less than a week after Kimberley Process members said that monitoring sales from Zimbabwe would be a key focus when they meet in Tel Aviv next month.
Israel became chair of the process this year, and has already stated that has set the fulfilment of the Kimberley Process standards in the Marange area at the top of its priorities.

In March, the process assigned a monitor to Zimbabwe, to liaise with the government and report back progress on a joint works programme under which Zimbabwe is working towards certification compliance.