HARARE The presence of too many state agents at Marange diamond field increases the risk of possible theft of diamonds, the Kimberley Process monitor on Zimbabwe Abbey Chikane has said. (Pictured: GEMS . . . Diamonds from Zimbabwe's Marange field near Mutare)
The Harare government has deployed scores of police, soldiers and other civil servants to oversee production and valuation of diamonds at sites being worked by Mbada Investments and Canadile Miners, the two firms licenced to exploit the Marange claims. But Chikane said the move could be counterproductive adding that the presence of too many government agents and officials many of them poorly trained for the job created a loophole for diamonds to be stolen or swapped with dirty stones originating from elsewhere.
Too many government agencies are involved in monitoring and handling rough diamonds. This poses the danger of diamonds being swapped or stolen in the process.
Government agencies have recently deployed civil servants to monitor and report on the diamond production exports and imports, however, most of these individuals are not adequately trained or inducted into this new responsibility, reads part of the report dated March 21, but not yet made public.
The 30-page report prepared by Chikane after his visit to Zimbabwe four weeks ago also noted state security agents representing the government at the mining and valuation centres lacked training and knowledge of the entire process and were hence open to manipulation.
According to the report, both Mbada Investments and Canadile Miners sorting and valuation centres provided for blind spots because some of the areas were not covered by security cameras. Apart from that, Mbada however had more sophisticated equipment.
Comparing like with like, Canadile Miners mine is currently the size of a small-scale miner with machinery and equipment that can be moved from one site to another without much difficulty. Canadile sorting site their security and monitoring control systems were inadequate, and diamond audit systems were equally not up to standard, reads the report.
Comparing like with like, Mbada Diamonds mine is equipped on par with medium to large mining operations in Botswana and Namibia. Mbada operational and geological staff demonstrated knowledge of their mining operation.
The report adds: Representatives of state security agencies present at the (airport) hangar do not seem to be adequately trained or experienced enough to ensure that the manner in which rough diamonds are handled is fully compliant with Kimberley Process Certification Scheme minimum requirements.
There is no visible paper trail to track the movement of rough diamonds from the safe to cubicles. Management of Mbada Diamonds would like to believe that the current paper trail is adequate; however the KP Monitor believes the system can and should be improved.
The sorting and valuation site requires a senior well-trained and experienced diamond auditor. At present the company has entrusted this responsibility to a person who does not qualify for the job. However, management promised they would employ a qualified person to take full responsibility for implementation of audit policies, processes and procedures.
Chikane is next week expected to visit the country to inspect diamonds mined at the controversial Marange field and confirm whether they were produced and prepared in accordance with the world diamond watchdogs requirements.
If satisfied that KP standards were met Chikane will issue a certificate allowing release of the stockpiled diamonds onto the international market. Where Chikane declines to certify a particular lot of diamonds he will issue a report to the government detailing what measures must be implemented before that lot can be certified clean and fit for sale.
Diamonds from Marange (also known as Chiadzwa) require a certificate from the KP to be sold on the international market under an agreement between Harare and the diamond watchdog meant to end human rights abuses and other illegal activities at the notorious diamond field in eastern Zimbabwe.
Marange is one of the worlds most controversial diamond fields with reports that soldiers sent to guard the claims after the government took over the field in October 2006 from a British firm that owned the deposits committed gross human rights abuses against illegal miners who had descended on the field.
Human rights groups have been pushing for a ban on diamonds from Marange but last November, the country escaped a KP ban with the global body giving Harare a June 2010 deadline to make reforms to comply with its regulations.
Post published in: News