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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.

Measures are being taken in Zimbabwe to prevent abuse and smuggling in its diamond fields.

Human Rights Watch reports that the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme will halt the trade of diamonds – which are popular in engagement rings and wedding rings – from the country's Marange fields.

The initiative aims to tackle the ongoing conflicts connected with sourcing and trading of stones from the region.

Studies made by the organisation from July through to September 2010 noted that much of the area is under the jurisdiction of the Zimbabwe Defence Force soldiers, who are said to be involved in smuggling and threatening the local community.

Rona Pegali of Human Rights Watch said: "Without these kinds of reforms, international consumers risk purchasing 'blood diamonds'."

The Kimberley Process includes governments and members of precious stone industries who meet annually to review the guidelines in diamond trade and provide a certification scheme that ensures that exported gems are conflict-free. 

The Zimbabwe government needs to encourage miners to explore the Marange fields for precious stones that can be used in items such as diamond rings, it has been suggested.

According to the Zimbabwe Chronicle, around 30 small-scale miners are currently seeking permission from the administration to move into the area.

And the Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) has called on the government to allow this to take place nationwide, with president of the body Trinos Nkomo being quoted as saying small-scale activity will help to locate diamond-rich areas without the need for geological mapping.

"We believe as ZMF that the country has vast diamond deposits that are yet to be identified in different parts of the country," he remarked, adding the government can "demystify" the claim by allowing more exploration.

Earlier this week, Victor Van Der Kwast of ABN Amro told the Times of India that while the bank is not boycotting funding diamond mining in the country, it still has to abide by European Union sanctions.
 

Indian diamond entrepreneurs are set to lobby their government to support Zimbabwe diamond sales.

Indian firms eager to capitalise on Zimbabwe's natural resources are set to ask their government to throw its weight behind the African nation's attempts to sell its diamonds.

Surat Rough Diamond Sourcing India Limited (SRDSIL), representatives of which were in Zimbabwe recently to pursue diamond deals, wants its government to make a stand ahead of next month's Kimberley Process meeting in Israel, the Herald reports

The meeting scheduled for Jerusalem is aimed at determining whether the country should be allowed to sell gems from the controversy-ridden Marange diamond fields in eastern Zimbabwe.

"We are confident Zimbabwe will be able to sell its diamonds appropriately. We are going to be represented by our government and we will lobby for its support," said SRDSIL chairman Ashitbhai Mehta.

However, efforts to sell Zimbabwe's diamonds on global markets are expected to meet stiff opposition from non-governmental organisations and other western agencies.

Meanwhile, the world's biggest diamond trade centre, the Bharat Diamond Bourse, opened in Mumbai recently.