The London-based Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) has warned members to exercise extreme caution when buying rough stones on the market to ensure they do not originate from the controversial Marange fields. RJC said that, in light of the controversial circumstances under which diamonds were extracted in Marange, it would ensure that diamond auditors place an extra level of vigilance on the potential for non-conformances in this area. It said it would continue to monitor progress on Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) implementation in Zimbabwe and urged all parties to work diligently towards resolution of the situation in Marange. The council said that while no goods from Marange could be legally exported from Zimbabwe at present, illicit diamonds were entering the supply chain as a result of exploitation of loopholes by those engaged in illegal mining.
Zimbabwe is barred from exporting rough diamonds from the Marange fields as part of a joint working plan agreed at last Novembers meeting of the KP. The Windhoek meeting also agreed on the appointment of a special monitor to oversee activities at the diamond fields where the army has been accused of engaging in illegal mining, murder and forced labour. Zimbabwe has clashed with the KP over the appointment of the special monitor, with Harare insisting on the recruitment of someone from friendly African nations, while European Union members want an EU national to take up the job.