Diamond News Agency > Mining > Africa > Diamond Deposits Will Not Benefit Zimbabweans, Says Public :

Diamond Deposits Will Not Benefit Zimbabweans, Says Public

10/14/2010 3:57:02 AM  Simona Kogan

More large diamond deposits have been discovered in Zimbabwe but there is rampant skepticism as to whether these discoveries will benefit ordinary Zimbabweans. 

There are three significant diamond deposits where abuse from the military has been rampant.  They are located in Binga, Tsholotsho, and in parts of Masvingo province along the road to South Africa. These are separate from the fields in Chiadzwa. 
Mines Minister Obert Mpofu says the government will set up the Zimbabwe Minerals Exploration Corporation to quicken the exploration process in order to determine the extent of the deposits.  The government is looking for a leader to head the new group.
There is widespread concern that the government's involvement will mean more abuse.  The government's take over at the Chiadzwa fields was stained by hundreds of deaths and harsh military control has been part of the field since.  The government assured Zimbabweans all abuse would end and came to an agreement with the Kimberley Process that made it possible to have diamond sales from Chiadzwa.    
Still, sources who have visited the area say nothing has actually changed.  Rampant and systematic abuses are still occurring, the source says, as well as violence at the hands of the military.  The military is also said to be using smugglers to get diamonds out of the country illegally. 

“The problem is not that the rules are not there, the problem is there is no implementation of the rules,” says Dewa Mavhinga, a rep from the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition said. “Until we see this, then Zimbabweans won’t benefit from the mineral wealth of the country.”



Related Articles:
Zimbabwean Lawmakers To Visit Marange Diamond Fields
Wednesday, Mar 28 2012 6:04AM  Diamond news agency, Shira
mining Zimbabwean Lawmakers To Visit Marange Diamond Fields Zimbabwean lawmakers granted permission to visit Marange diamond fields This is the first time lawmakers have been given access since mining operations began in 2009
Rio Tinto May Sell Its Diamond Assets
Tuesday, Mar 27 2012 10:50AM  Diamond news agency, Shira
diamond mining Rio Tinto May Sell Its Diamond Assets Rio Tinto Group the third largest mining company in the world may sell its diamond business This news follows in the wake of BHP Billiton Ltd's recent sale of its assets
Botswana Diamonds Expanding Exploration
Monday, Mar 26 2012 8:02AM  Diamond news agency, Shira
Mines Minister Botswana Diamonds Expanding Exploration Botswana Diamonds is expanding its exploration in Botswana Cameroon and Zimbabwe fueled by booming diamond demand in Asia
UK Says Zimbabwe Diamonds Set To Dominate Industry
Monday, Feb 27 2012 4:14AM  Diamond news agency, Shira
military UK Says Zimbabwe Diamonds Set To Dominate Industry A UK securities says Zimbabwe's large diamond reserves will shape the global diamond industry over the next few years and that Zimbabwe will become a major player in the global diamond industry
Huge Pink Diamond Found in Australia
Thursday, Feb 23 2012 8:21AM  Diamond news agency, Shira
Chiadzwa Huge Pink Diamond Found in Australia Australian mining giant Rio Tinto has discovered the largest pink diamond ever found in Australia weighing in at 1276 carats