Former Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) gemologist Engineer Clever Sithole has been assigned by USAID Afghanistan to lead the value addition and beneficiation of gemstones initiative for the Government of Afghanistan, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

Rudairo Dickson Mapuranga

Engineer Sithole who was named among the top 10 promising mining personnel in Zimbabwe last year is going to be Head Gemologist for Afghanistan’s first gemstone certification, cutting, polishing, and engraving lab.

The USAID Invest program which Sithole will be head, is going to support the effort that will increase income for Afghanistan small scale miners and traders and allow the Government of Afghanistan to capture the true value of its gemstones based on international guidelines.

Engineer Sithole has been educating Zimbabwe’s young gemstone miners to take advantage of Online Platforms to learn as well as to market and trade gemstones.

He presented on different events in Zimbabwe teaching miners and the public at large about the importance of learning and knowing gemstones and has called upon the government to support the plight of gemstone miners.

Clever is a member of, Accredited Gemologists Association (USA), American Society of Appraisers (Gems & Jewellery) the USA, GIA Alumni member (USA), HRD Antwerp Graduates Club (Belgium), Zimbabwe Institution of Engineers, and Fellowship member of the Indian Diamond Institute.