South Africa’s Abbey Chikane, who has recently arrived in Zimbabwe to monitor the Kimberley Process, has allegedly been described as advancing Europe’s interests during his current visit.
Thankful Musukutwa, the Permanent Secretary in Zimbabwe’s Mines and Minerals Ministry is alleged to have stated “This person appointed to this Kimberley Process is the Zimbabwe sanctions advisor to [...]
Africa
Abbey Chikane Allegedly Labelled as European Representative by Leading Official in Zimbabwean Mines Ministry
Africa
Liberian Presidential Task Force on Diamonds Examining how to Implement Recommendations from Kimberley Process Review Mission Report
pLiberias Presidential Task Force on Diamonds has decided to intensify its work and to examine how to implement recommendations from last Octobers Kimberley Process review mission report and the report of the Panel of Experts on Liberia, which was presented in December 2009. Both reports note that implementation of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme has [...]
Africa
Reports: Robert Mugabe Threatens to Bypass Kimberley Process: “We Can Sell Our Diamonds Our Way”
“We can sell our diamonds our own way,” Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe told a trade and tourism fare held in Harare, according to local media reports.
“We are trying to play their way, but we could go outside the KP system and do it otherwise,” Mugabe, is reported to have told journalists.
The declaration comes just 2 [...]
Europe
Ingle & Rhode Comment On Controversy Surrounding The Kimberley Process
Ingle & Rhode, the UK’s principal retailer of ethical jewellery and custom engagement rings produced using conflict-free diamonds and fair trade gold, comment on the recent resignation of Martin Rapaport from the World Diamond Council over the current state of the Kimberley Certification process.
The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KP) was an agreement reached in 2003 [...]
Africa
New Report urges UN to Learn Lessons on Resource-Fuelled Wars
The lack of a coherent and committed international approach to tackling the role of natural resources in conflict is costing lives in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and heightening the risk of further unrest in other fragile states such as C?te d’Ivoire and Guinea, according to a new report from Global Witness.
Drawing on Global Witness’ [...]
Americas
International Symposium on Improving Natural Resource Management in Post-Conflict Countries Addresses Role of Kimberley Process
An international symposium on improving Natural resource management in post-conflict countries held in the University of Tokyo has addressed the issues of ‘Business of Diamond Mining and Human Insecurities in Sierra Leone’, presented by Kazumi Kawamoto of the University of Tokyo, ‘Tracking Down Blood Diamonds: How Industry, Governments and NGOs Made Kimberley Process a Success?’, [...]
Africa
The Responsible Jewellery Council Issues Statement to Members Over Zimbabwe’s Marange Diamonds
The reported human rights abuses in the Marange diamond fields in Zimbabwe are of grave concern to all who advocate responsible practices in the jewellery supply chain. The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) includes specific provisions regarding human rights and conflict diamonds as part of its Certification System, formally launched in December 2009.
Marange Diamonds
In November 2009, [...]
Company News
Clark McEwen Appointed as Marketing Manager of Rio Tinto Diamonds as Patick Coppens Becomes Rio Tinto Diamonds Sales Manager
Rio Tinto, one of the world’s leading diamond companies, is reorganising its Antwerp-based sales and marketing management team.
Integral to this reorganisation is the appointment of Clark McEwen to the position of Marketing Manager, reporting to Jean-Marc Lieberherr, Rio Tinto Diamonds General Manager, Sales and Marketing. Clark will be based in Antwerp, effective March 1. Clark [...]
Africa
World Diamond Council Calls for Increased Vigilance of Potential Trade in Zimbabwe’s Marange Diamonds
The World Diamond Council has renewed its call for members of the industry to redouble their efforts to ensure that no diamonds from Marange diamond fields are traded until the Kimberley Process monitor is in place and is actively controlling exports from the area.
The KP has developed, jointly with the government of Zimbabwe, a mechanism [...]
Africa
Dolat Ventures Reports Increased Government Social Spending in Addition to New Mining Laws in Sierra Leone
Dolat Ventures Inc. (OTCBB: DOLV) says its subsidiary Dove Diamonds & Mining reported that there has been a rise in tax imposed by Sierra Leone on high-value diamond exports. The tax has been raised from 6.5 percent to 15 percent, on diamonds valued $500,000 and above. The imposition was put into effect as of December [...]
Africa
VL Holdings to Act as Exclusive Distributor of Konoma Alluvial Diamond Operation in Sierra Leone re Agreement with Obtala Resources
Obtala Resources plc (AIM:OBT), which invests in and develops mineral assets,has signed a Distribution Agreement with VL Holdings Limited (VL), of Hong Kong, whereby VL will act as the sole distributor for the diamond production from the newly acquired Konoma alluvial diamond operation in Sierra Leone.
Under the terms of the agreement VL will act as [...]
Africa
World Diamond Council Calls for Increased Efforts by Kimberley Process Participants to Achieve Full Compliance in Zimbabwe
For more than a year, the World Diamond Council has voiced its concerns regarding allegations of human rights abuses in Zimbabwe and significant examples of irregularities concerning Kimberley Process compliance.
Following agreement of the Working Plan, in November 2009, the World Diamond Council said the world would be watching closely and cautioned the Kimberley Process and [...]
