World Diamond Council Tells Zimbabwe: Appoint Monitor or Leave KP

The World Diamond Council (WDC) announced Monday that it will call for the suspension of Zimbabwe from the Kimberly Process (KP) Certification Scheme unless a monitor is appointed soon.

The WDC stated that their need be a “credible, independent Monitor” to oversee mining operations and exports from the Marange diamond field. The WDC stated that the Zimbabwean government agreed to have a monitor as part of a Working Plan put in place by the KP in November intended to bring Zimbabwe into full compliance and end human rights abuses.

The Marange diamond fields have been the subject of much scrutiny as allegations of government-sanctioned mining and smuggling in the region have increased in recent years. In July, a KP review mission cited such allegations, in addition to widespread human rights abuses committed by the Zimbabwe military, who are there under the premise of protecting of the field from illegal mining.

Exports from the Marange region have been suspended since November and will not resume until a monitor is appointed and in place, the WDC stated.

The World Diamond Council told Zimbabwe it must appoint a monitor to oversee mining operations and exports from the Marange diamond field (above)