Diamond stakeholders are burning the midnight oil, preparing for the upcoming Kimberly Process Review team visit slated for next month which is meant to scrutinize the country’s diamond mining operations in line with international best practices.
Prince Sunduzani and Rudairo Mapuranga.
A delegation of member states and organizations that include South Africa, Angola, the DRC, and the European Union, the United States among others, is expected in the country to vet Zimbabwes’ diamond processes and ascertain its compliance with set guidelines for diamond mining operations.
The KP is meant to prevent dealings in conflict and illicit diamonds.
The stakeholders outlined that they are in the process of preparing for this important occasion, putting in place various measures to ensure they are compliant with the set rules and regulations that include security, community responsibility, plugging of leakages at ports of entry among a plethora of other requirements.
The Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development Hon Polite Kambamura standing in for the Minister of Mines and Mining Development Hon Winston Chitando said that Zimbabwe was ready to host the KPC team. He said that as part of efforts to ensure that the KP review is successful the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development has conducted a self-assessment with the review already conducted at Anjin, ZCDC, and Murowa diamond companies. The Deputy Minister also added that the achievement of the US$12 BILLION mining industry requires the mining sector to work as a team. Dr Kambamura said that the value addition of diamonds through cutting and polishing plays a key role in the attainment of the US$1 billion diamond industry. The Deputy Minister also said that the nomination of Zimbabwe as the incoming chair of the African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA) and Kimberley Process for 2022 is an indication that the international community is confident of the progress by Zimbabwe in terms of diamond sourcing.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Mines Mr Onisimo Mazai Moyo also ensured the rest of the country that Zimbabwe was ready to host the KP. He said the government is grateful to various investors undertaking diamond exploration for the success of diamond discoveries in the country. He said that the country’s elevation to take over KP shows that the international community is beginning to show confidence in the country as a solid diamond producer.
Zimbabwe Republic Police Officer Commanding Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit (MFFU) Chief Superintendent Mavhaku said the police were always ready to keep peace in the diamond industry. He said the Police conduct security surveys when diamond mining companies are confronted with some security challenges. He said, the country continues to uphold and abide by the various protocols, regulations, and treaties enunciated by regional and international bodies. The Zimbabwe Republic Police diligently discharges its duties and responsibilities during security operations at diamond fields in line with contemporary tenets of security management. He said his department will continue to encourage the diamond sector to keep abreast with emerging security threats and measures aimed at countering such threats.
The Zimbabwe Diamond Consolidation Company (ZCDC) through its Spokesperson Mr Sugar Chagonda said that the company has created world-class security for its diamond mines in Manicaland with a live security check-in place at its headquarters in Harare. He said that from rough to polished, particular care has been taken to ensure responsible business practices, to support the advancement of women and to protect the natural world, which is the ultimate source of the country’s diamonds. Chagonda also said that the diamond miner is also undertaking environmental rehabilitation. He also said that every human being must have access to safe water. ZCDC ensured the availability of clean water at Chirasika Primary School in Arda Transau by sponsoring the drilling of a borehole and installation of the borehole reticulation system.
The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority expressed the need to ensure compliance at the country’s ports of entry, adding that they had engaged the MMCZ in the training of their officers to handle diamonds. He said the entity was also investing in the training of sniffer dogs to identify minerals to halt the smuggling of Zimbabwean diamonds out of the country.
On behalf of civil society organizations, Simiso Mlevu called on the government to work together with CSOs as they act as a watchdog of the diamond industry.
She said CSOs are interested in helping the diamond sector do away with human rights violations in theming of diamonds.
Presenting on Security systems and chain of custody diamond mining, Rio Zim Murowa diamonds said the company has put in place security measures that include surveillance systems, patrols and also working with the Zimbabwe Republic Police to ensure the security of their operations.
She said the company has also undertaken a lot of community responsibility projects such as building schools and coming up with community enrichment schemes.