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An interesting Panorama report on Zimbabwe’s Marange diamond fields and severe human rights violations from the BBC last night (8th August 2011).

DiamondGeezer.com recognised and drew attention to these problems and violations way back in November 2007.

Indeed there are over 65,500 references to our article from November 2007 on the ‘Net .

CLICK HERE to read our original article

Zimbabwe is home to 11.9 million people and accounts for a tiny and estimated 0.4 percent of global diamond production. This once thriving landlocked African country has become increasingly dependent on diamond exports to support its collapsed economy. Partnership Africa Canada, a leading regional NGO has reported that Zimbabwe’s diamond industry is out of control. ‘The government has expropriated diamond lands and companies without due process and awarded the prizes to ZANU-PF supporters and to the military. It has used brute force to clear the diamond fields…murdering hundreds of people in the process. Increasing military control in almost all of the diamond mines, and over the Ministry suggests that a new conflict scenario may be developing.’

DiamondGeezer.com will continue to monitor the situation very carefully.

White diamond weighing 185 carats has been uncovered in Letseng mine.

A 185-carat rough diamond has been discovered in the enclave country of Lesotho.

Gem Diamonds found the precious stone in the Letseng mine towards the end of October 2010.

The rock in its current state weighs more in carats than the famous Pink Panther diamond ring and Hope diamond necklace combined.

It is the firm's second significant finding at the site since August 2010, when miners uncovered one weighing 196 carats.

Clifford Elphick of Gem Diamonds stated: "Letseng is one of the world's truly extraordinary diamond mines and its reputation is well deserved given the frequency with which it produces remarkable diamonds."

He added that the mine has been the source of three of the world's largest diamonds since the company acquired it in 2006.

The organisation, which has assets in eight countries, has more than 150 years of experience in diamond mining

According to the firm, first inspections have revealed that the mineral will present top quality colour and clarity and is expected to bring in a generous price per carat. 

Lucara Diamond Corp has reached a deal to purchase fellow exploration firm African Diamonds.

The C$82 million (£51 million) deal will enable both companies to take advantage of the AK6 diamond prospect in Botswana.

Under the terms of the agreement, African Diamonds shareholders will get 0.8 of a Lucara share and one new share in Botswana Exploration – a new company that will be formed following the completion of the transaction – for every African Diamond share they own.

The move comes shortly after the African Diamonds board rejected a hostile takeover bid from an anonymous company.

"Marrying African Diamonds and Lucara will create a C$240 million emerging diamond producer controlling 2 new kimberlite diamond mines," observed chairman of African Diamonds John Teeling, adding the "logic of this deal is compelling".

In a feasibility study published in June, Lucara predicted the AK6 mine contains 6.3 million carats of diamond within 36.2 million tonnes of ore.

Pressure is mounting to reform the Kimberley Process after its decision to allow the sale of diamonds mined from Chiadzwa in Zimbabwe.

Support is growing for total reformation of diamond certification scheme the Kimberley Process.

According to SW Radio Africa News, thousands of people have signed a petition calling for change after the decision was made to certify diamonds mined in the Chiadzwa area of Zimbabwe.

The move is being led by ethical jewellery group Brilliant Earth and the petition has now been signed by nearly 6,000 individuals.

Speaking to SW Radio Africa, co-founder of Brilliant Earth Beth Gerstein said the certification of the Chiadzwa stones as being conflict free "demonstrates another failing" of the Kimberley Process.

She said consumers and retailers should "demand to know, with certainty, the origin of every diamond in the global supply chain".

The Daily Telegraph recently reported concerns are mounting regarding the amount of control the Zimbabwean army has over diamond mines in the country, with campaign group Global Witness warning senior figures are profiting from the illegal sale of precious stones.