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Global stakeholders keen on Zim diamonds |
Global diamond industry stakeholders want Zimba-bwe’s gems Kimberley Process certified for international trading.
Mr Alex Popov, the president of the Moscow Diamond Bourse, was last night quoted by Internet news publications as saying KP Certification Scheme monitor for Zimbabwe Mr Abbey Chikane had given sales from the Marange fields the green light.
The World Diamond Council is meeting in St Peters-burg, Russia, and Mines and Mining Development Minister Obert Mpofu is representing Zimbabwe.
Last night, online media reports indicated the council was locked in a meeting to find a compromise that would help the United States and its allies — which are opposing Zimbabwe — to save face.
Mr Popov reportedly said: "We hope that a solution will be found to allow Zimbabwe diamonds from these two particular mines who [sic] have been cleared by the Kimberley Process moderator to enter the main stream of trade.
"Zimbabwe has a very, very sizeable amount of raw diamonds, and if these deposits will be left to uncontrolled trade, we will see very big damage to the diamond and jewellery industry."
The country holds an estimated 25 percent of the world’s diamonds.
Other online reports last night said "most industry players wanted the gems certified conflict-free".
Diamond industry leaders, government officials and human rights groups held a closed-door meeting in St Petersburg and talks are likely to continue today.
Zimbabwe has warned that it will soon start selling its diamonds with or without the KP’s blessing, with Finance Minister Tendai Biti saying revenue from sales is needed for economic stability.
Observers have questioned why just four members of the 75-strong KP — namely the US, Australia and the European Union — are holding everyone else to ransom on the issue. — AP-Herald Reporter.
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