Diamond monitor upbeat

Herald Reporter (04/03/10)

Kimberley Process monitor for Zimbabwe Mr Abbey Chikane yesterday described his fact-finding mission to the country as a success and said he would return in the coming few weeks to certify rough diamonds for export.

Mr Chikane met various stakeholders in the local diamond industry, including a Cabinet Taskforce, and visited the Chiadzwa fields.

"I had a resounding success on the fact-finding mission. I have been able to assess the state of affairs and will be coming back in a few weeks’ time to certify the rough diamonds for export.

"I am pleased that I was able to meet all the stakeholders both at political and technical level," he said.

Mines and Mining Development Minister Obert Mpofu said the Government was satisfied with Mr Chikane’s observations and would work to meet KP requirements.

"His observations are realistic. We are a new player in the industry and we need guidance from those who have been in the industry for a long time.

"We had a fruitful meeting and we are hopeful that major strides have been taken.

"We are following the (Joint) Work Plan accordingly and by the end of the year we will have met all the requirements," Minister Mpofu said.

Mr Chikane yesterday met Minister Mpofu, officials from the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority and the Police Minerals Unit.

He also held discussions with officials from Mbada and Canadile Miners, the two companies mining in Chiadzwa.

His fact-finding mission was meant to assist Zimbabwe implement the Joint Work Plan adopted in Namibia last year.

The plan provides a series of commitments to bring diamond mining in Chiadzwa in full compliance with KP requirements.

Mr Chikane also visited Forbes Border Post in Manicaland to ascertain security following reports by sections of the international media that the route was being used to smuggle diamonds mined in Chiadzwa.

On Tuesday, Secretary for Mines and Mining Develop-ment Mr Thankful Musukutwa told the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Natural Resources that Mbada and Canadile had so far mined 2,2 million carats since they began operations in Chiadzwa.

Mr Musukutwa added that the two companies had complied 100 and 85 percent respectively with KP requirements.