The Kimberley Process (KP) rough diamond certification scheme failed to reach a consensus to suspend Zimbabwe at the recent Plenary meeting in Namibia, in spite of evidence of serious non-compliance with the KP’s requirements and widespread government-sponsored human rights abuses, say civil society groups. “Governments’ failure to suspend Zimbabwe points to fundamental weaknesses in the [...]
Civil Society Calls for Kimberley Process Action Over Zimbabwe
Kimberley Process members must act on the overwhelming evidence of Zimbabwe’s failure to comply with the minimum requirements of the rough diamond certification scheme, say civil society groups, ahead of the Kimberley Process’ annual meeting in Namibia. The Kimberley Process Civil Society Coalition, whose members include Global Witness, Partnership Africa Canada and Green Advocates (Liberia), [...]
7 Issues Mark 7 Years of Kimberley Process for NGO
To mark ten years since discussions about a certification system for rough diamonds began and prior to the Seventh Annual Plenary Meeting of the Kimberley Process in Namibia, in November, NGO Partnership Africa Canada has highlighted 7 unresolved issues in the Kimberley Process in Other Facets, a periodic newsletter about the international effort to end [...]
Afri-Can Marine Minerals Raises C$650,000
fri-Can Marine Minerals Corporation has closed a non-brokered private placement in the amount of C$650,000 for the sale of 4,062,500 units, at a subscription price of $0.16 per Unit. In other news, Afri-Can has been informed by International Mining and Dredging Holding Ltd. (IMDH) that the contracted diamond sampling vessel MV DP The Explorer is close to completion [...]
Namdeb Seeks Optimal Solution to Elizabeth Bay Operational Challenges
Namdeb’s Elizabeth Bay plant has been experiencing a number of technical challenges that have affected its ability to operate optimally, and consequently the E/Bay operation is forecasted to make N$76 million loss in 2009 if the current expenditure continues. The Northern Coastal Management reviewed options to reduce this potential loss. After an extensive consultation process [...]
Namdeb Production Tops 2 Million Carats
Namdeb production for 2008, at 2.1 million carats, exceeded the two million carats mark for the third year in a row. This was achieved notwithstanding the flooding of Pocket Beach Mines and other small mines in Mining Area 1 following adverse marine conditions. Diamond sales at N$5,65 billion is 24% higher than 2007. Over [...]
Namdeb Production Recommissioning Well On Track
Since November last year, Namdeb has sought to keep the Namibian nation informed about the negative impact that the global economic downturn has had on the diamond industry. One of the mitigating measures was the institution of a three month production interruption aimed at savings costs while the global recession was in force. It is [...]
Namdeb Resumes Mining Operations
Since the end of last year, following the global economic crunch, Namdeb has been evaluating the new business environment in which the company’s mines will operate. We have taken account of the world’s economic situation and its effect on the general economy and. in particular. the severe effect that the downturn had on the luxury [...]
Andy Bone: “Kimberley Process Must be Far More Vocal and Proactive”
Andy Bone, has told the Kimberley Process intersessional meeting in Namibia that the Kimberley Process must be far more vocal and proactive in engaging with the arms of government, drawing attention to the issues that affect us all and calling for effective action and support that will assist it in achieving its objectives. His entire [...]
KP Warns of Risk of Fake Certificates
Bernhard Esau, Chair of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, has warned of the risk of fake KP certificates. In order to protect the KPCS against the use of fake or forged KP certificates, Esau recommends that KP certificates are carefully examined, and in case of reasonable doubt of fake certificates, to contact the relevant KP [...]
1,900 Jobs Lost in Namibian Diamond Sector
The direct cost of the slump in global demand for diamonds has resulted in the loss of over 1,900 jobs in Namibia, whose diamond sector has been hard hit by the global economic crisis. There has been a scaling back of operations, which has meant no land operations for January, July, August and September; and [...]
Civil Society Groups Warn Effectiveness of Kimberley Process Compromised
A landmark scheme established in 2003 to prevent trade in conflict diamonds is potentially failing in its objectives, campaigners have said. Ahead of a key meeting of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) in Namibia, a coalition of civil society groups said that despite having all the tools in place, the scheme was failing effectively [...]