Zimbabwe has banned the export of diamonds until a monitor from the industry’s watchdog Kimberley Process (KP) finalizes an ongoing inspection of stones from a controversial field where operations have been marred by alleged human rights abuses during mining operations.
Mines Minister Obert Mpofu told the state media that all diamond exports from Zimbabwe had been suspended “with immediate effect” until KP monitor Abbey Chikane finishes the inspection of operations at the Marange diamond fields.
Chikane arrived in Harare on Monday at the invitation of the Zimbabwean authorities who want him to certify compliance of mining operations at Marange prior to the sale of the gems.
KP has given Zimbabwe until June to end human rights abuses in the eastern Marange diamond fields, where investigators documented forced labor, beatings and other abuses by the military against civilians.
A KP report last year also accused senior Zimbabwe government and army officials of engaging in the smuggling of the Marange diamonds via neighbors Mozambique and South Africa.
As a result, the KP stopped the sale of 300,000 carats of diamonds from Marange, saying the auction did not have its approval.
Zimbabwe has two other diamond mines, one operated by global mining giant Rio Tinto and another controlled by Saudi group, Aujan.
Source African Press Agency
African News from NetNewsPublisher.com
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