News / National
Kimberly Diamond monitors jet into Zimbabwe
20 Nov 2011 at 06:25hrs | Views
KIMBERLEY Process Certification Scheme monitors for Zimbabwe arrived in the country yesterday to officially certify diamonds at Anjin Mine in Marange.
If the monitors observe compliance with KP specifications, the mining firm will soon begin exporting its huge two million-carat stockpile.
Mines and Mining Development Minister Cde Obert Mpofu confirmed that Mr Abbey Chikane and Mr Mark van Bockstael touched down at the Harare International Airport yesterday morning.
He said they immediately headed to Marange to begin work. He said buoyed by the Kinshasa outcome, more mines were pushing for certification.
Zimbabwe stands to earn more than US$3 billion annually from operations in the district.
"I can confirm that the monitors are here. They went straight to Anjin Mine and are executing their mandate in line with KP specifications," he said.
"We have received another request from Pure Diam to have their operations certified by the visiting monitors. We have since indicated to them that we would make arrangements for them during the next visit.
"We want to thank KP for moving swiftly to ensure that we move with exporting our diamonds."
Last week, the KP gave Zimbabwe the green light to export diamonds mined in the district at a key plenary held in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This marked a major breakthrough for the country whose gem exports continued to be stifled by hostile countries in the West. Members of the African Diamond Producers' Association rallied behind the Southern African state.
Westerners were, however, agitating for the diamond body to block the exports.
Plenary, thereafter, appointed a monitoring team consisting of Mr Chikane and Mr van Bockstael.
Mr Chikane has previously worked in Zimbabwe, conducting monitoring in Marange on behalf of the Kimberley Process.
Mr van Bockstael, on the other hand, has been described by some as a tough back-room operator. He also chairs the KP working group on diamond experts.
Next year, Zimbabwe is expected to report matters regarding the identification of further investment, regulation of artisanal mining, efforts to fight illicit digging and smuggling. A communiqué released after the plenary reads: "Plenary endorses exports of production from the compliant mining operations of Mbada Diamonds and Marange Resources with immediate effect.
"Compliant mining operations will share mine level data with the KP monitoring team's verification of compliance. The KP monitoring team will verify compliance of operations of those other producing mines according to KPCS minimum requirements, including full access to these mining sites."
If the monitors observe compliance with KP specifications, the mining firm will soon begin exporting its huge two million-carat stockpile.
Mines and Mining Development Minister Cde Obert Mpofu confirmed that Mr Abbey Chikane and Mr Mark van Bockstael touched down at the Harare International Airport yesterday morning.
He said they immediately headed to Marange to begin work. He said buoyed by the Kinshasa outcome, more mines were pushing for certification.
Zimbabwe stands to earn more than US$3 billion annually from operations in the district.
"I can confirm that the monitors are here. They went straight to Anjin Mine and are executing their mandate in line with KP specifications," he said.
"We have received another request from Pure Diam to have their operations certified by the visiting monitors. We have since indicated to them that we would make arrangements for them during the next visit.
"We want to thank KP for moving swiftly to ensure that we move with exporting our diamonds."
Last week, the KP gave Zimbabwe the green light to export diamonds mined in the district at a key plenary held in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This marked a major breakthrough for the country whose gem exports continued to be stifled by hostile countries in the West. Members of the African Diamond Producers' Association rallied behind the Southern African state.
Westerners were, however, agitating for the diamond body to block the exports.
Plenary, thereafter, appointed a monitoring team consisting of Mr Chikane and Mr van Bockstael.
Mr Chikane has previously worked in Zimbabwe, conducting monitoring in Marange on behalf of the Kimberley Process.
Mr van Bockstael, on the other hand, has been described by some as a tough back-room operator. He also chairs the KP working group on diamond experts.
Next year, Zimbabwe is expected to report matters regarding the identification of further investment, regulation of artisanal mining, efforts to fight illicit digging and smuggling. A communiqué released after the plenary reads: "Plenary endorses exports of production from the compliant mining operations of Mbada Diamonds and Marange Resources with immediate effect.
"Compliant mining operations will share mine level data with the KP monitoring team's verification of compliance. The KP monitoring team will verify compliance of operations of those other producing mines according to KPCS minimum requirements, including full access to these mining sites."
Source - TH
