HARARE - The Diamond Association of Zimbabwe (DAZ), established with a mandate to promote and support the beneficiation of precious stones in the country, has called for the introduction of a diamond act and regulatory authority.DAZ is currently being hosted by a company called Mavlon Trading (Pvt) Ltd in the country. The association was established about three years ago, and recently held its inaugural meeting in Harare.
According to a position paper compiled by the association on the challenges facing the beneficiation industry in Zimbabwe, a diamond act and regulatory authority for the diamond sector should be set up by an act of parliament.
DAZ says that the diamond act will have the role of promoting responsible mining and promote beneficiation by the local industry. The authority will be the custodian of the diamond act which will be responsible for licensing issues, trading in diamonds, compliance and implementation of the KPCs.
DAZ wishes to present to the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development the paper chronicling challenges that are being faced by the local beneficiates and the proposed solutions for the challenges. It also proposes possible strategies for ensuring that local beneficiation companies are supplied with diamonds to enable them to operate on a level playing field and to give the ministry an overview of DAZ and its overall vision.
Currently there is no attraction for any investor to invest in beneficiation in Zimbabwe.There is a strong feeling that the environment is not investor friendly,” said a representative from DAZ.
Some of the issues the association wishes to have addressed include access to diamonds, setting up of a diamond regulatory authority and act, readdressing of current tender system, licensing issues, licensing cost review, licensing time frame, immigration and work permits for expatriate labour to impart skills to locals, among others.
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