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Zimbabwe to clean diamonds before selling them
01 Dec 2013 at 04:11hrs | Views
Minister Chidhakwa disclosed that plans to clean diamonds before their sent to the market are already afoot.
"We agreed that all diamonds from Zimbabwe starting from the 1st of February 2014 will have to be cleaned. There is a deep acid cleaner that is applied to diamonds which ensures that the diamonds are clean and the valuation will then be done and the marketing will be undertaken. We agreed that they will have to bring in equipment and we will work with our companies in bringing in this equipment which is used for the cleaning of diamonds. We hope this will help us increase revenue from diamonds," he said.
He added that the 24 hour surveillance of all diamond mines will ensure that there is full transparency in the mining of the precious mineral.
"The second thing is that in a bid to strengthen the security systems at Marange, as much for existing diamond mining companies and those that will come in the future, we expect that the entire process at the diamond mining sites as well as the marketing sites must have CCTV and that CCTV becomes available also to Government through ZMDC as a shareholder," said Cde Chidhakwa.
Minister Chidhakwa said Government has resolved to cut down the 15 percent tax for local diamond cutters and polishers who have failed to kick off operations because of the restrictive taxes.
Other tax reforms in the mining sector are expected to be announced during the budget presentation which is due before January next year.
Zimbabwe got the green light to trade its diamonds on the Antwerp market following the lifting of sanctions on the companies mining diamonds in Marange by the European Union.
Last week, the World Federation of Diamond Bourses President Ernie Blom described Zimbabwe's entry onto the Antwerp market as a positive step.
"I think it is a positive step and will benefit both Zimbabwe and Belgium.
"They are KP compliant and based on this should be able to trade on the world markets.
Zimbabwean diamonds are being sold in many other markets so why not in the EU (Antwerp)?
"While Zimbabwean diamonds might not always be of the highest quality they make up for this in volume which has helped sustain the demand for rough diamonds when many other mines around the world have seen a drop in production.
"In 2012 Zimbabwe generated 8 million carats and in 2013 they are expected to generate 16.9 million carats," Mr Blom was quoted as saying by the media.
"We agreed that all diamonds from Zimbabwe starting from the 1st of February 2014 will have to be cleaned. There is a deep acid cleaner that is applied to diamonds which ensures that the diamonds are clean and the valuation will then be done and the marketing will be undertaken. We agreed that they will have to bring in equipment and we will work with our companies in bringing in this equipment which is used for the cleaning of diamonds. We hope this will help us increase revenue from diamonds," he said.
He added that the 24 hour surveillance of all diamond mines will ensure that there is full transparency in the mining of the precious mineral.
"The second thing is that in a bid to strengthen the security systems at Marange, as much for existing diamond mining companies and those that will come in the future, we expect that the entire process at the diamond mining sites as well as the marketing sites must have CCTV and that CCTV becomes available also to Government through ZMDC as a shareholder," said Cde Chidhakwa.
Minister Chidhakwa said Government has resolved to cut down the 15 percent tax for local diamond cutters and polishers who have failed to kick off operations because of the restrictive taxes.
Other tax reforms in the mining sector are expected to be announced during the budget presentation which is due before January next year.
Zimbabwe got the green light to trade its diamonds on the Antwerp market following the lifting of sanctions on the companies mining diamonds in Marange by the European Union.
"I think it is a positive step and will benefit both Zimbabwe and Belgium.
"They are KP compliant and based on this should be able to trade on the world markets.
Zimbabwean diamonds are being sold in many other markets so why not in the EU (Antwerp)?
"While Zimbabwean diamonds might not always be of the highest quality they make up for this in volume which has helped sustain the demand for rough diamonds when many other mines around the world have seen a drop in production.
"In 2012 Zimbabwe generated 8 million carats and in 2013 they are expected to generate 16.9 million carats," Mr Blom was quoted as saying by the media.
Source - sundaymail
