HARARE - The Kimberley Process will relentlessly pursue a conclusion on Zimbabwe diamond exports after the regulatory body failed to reach agreement on exports of Marange rough diamonds, according to a representative.Four days of the 75-nation Kimberley Process talks in Jerusalem ended last Thursday without a decision on Zimbabwe, with human rights groups saying their investigations had shown that government had failed to take steps to
stop rights abuses and demilitarising the zone. The government and the KP Zimbabwe point man, Abbey Chikane, maintained enough had been done and the mining within the fenced fields was above reproach. The KP said Zimbabwe
had met the minimum requirements, but stated specifically that certification was not approved.
Despite its failure to win approval from the global regulatory scheme, Mpofu said Zimbabwe was selling its diamonds anyhow, meaning government is defying the KP and planning to sell on the black market.
“We are committed to reach a consensus that will enable Zimbabwe to restore its diamond exports within the KP framework,” said Kimberley Process Chair Boaz Hirsch. “Despite rigorous negotiations, regrettably the KP members were
not able to bridge the gaps among them.” He added that achieving a consensus is a “formidable task,” that lies at the heart of the KP. “We will relentlessly continue pursuing an agreement.”
Zimbabwe Mines minister Obert Mpofu said: “Zimbabwe will sell diamonds without any conditions. We have complied fully with KPCS requirements.
Not minimum standards – very, very high quality standards that have not been achieved by others in the KPCS.”
Mpofu said Zimbabwe would not cancel a US$100million diamond deal with sourcing consortium Surat Rough Diamond Sourcing India Ltd (SRDSIL) to supply US$100m worth of Marange rough every month entered last month. Under the deal, Zimbabwe will, in exchange of its diamond supply, get skills transfer in diamond cutting and polishing.
Said Mpofu: “We are dealing with those who have always challenged us. They are not raising issues of substance, they are not raising issues of principle, they are just raising political issues which have nothing to do with this.” He added that Zimbabwe’s diamonds were suitable for processing “all over the world.”
The threat to flog diamonds on the black market is a major challenge to the Kimberley Process, the global certification system that aims to prevent the trade of “blood diamonds” from war zones.
Post published in: Economy