In March 2009 the Zimbabwean government declared its intentions of deepening its involvement and its efforts in the country's diamond mining industry. Mines and Mining Development Minister Obert Mpofu reported that his government will be looking into purchasing suitable machinery for its mining purposes in the Chiadzwa alluvial diamond sites, the country's sole formal diamond mine.
Over the past few years, reports had surfaced about the illegal mining activities occurring in those regions. President Mugabe responded by sending soldiers to secure the area and deliver it from the hands of illegal miners who pillage and rape the land, terrorizing its inhabitants. However, the soldiers were not content in their guardian duties, consequently taking over the mines, forcing the locals into labor. “These soldiers who were deployed to remove the makorokoza [illegal miners] are now looting the diamonds, but they are doing so in such a way that it is difficult for outsiders to notice it,” a local resident told to Idex.com.
During the first week of April 2009, the World Federation of Diamond Businesses (WFDB) and its president Avi Paz, warned against its members' trade in Zimbabwean conflict diamonds, declaring that they stand in violation to Kimberley Process created in an attempt to end the conflict diamond phenomena. "WFDB wishes to clarify that its warning not to trade in conflict diamonds from Zimbabwe pertains in particular to diamonds originating from the Marange deposits. The warning issued by the WFDB does not pertain to diamonds mined at the Murowa deposits since the production from this source is in compliance with the Kimberly Process" explained the Federation.
In the past, the Zimbabwean diamond mining industry has had an ample amount of criticism thrown its way, accused of trampling human rights through violent and merciless acts, forced labor, the hostile take-over of diamond fields resulting in numerous casualties etc. Experts argue that although in some case Zimbabwean diamonds are exported legally, and in accordance to the Kimberley Process, the mining itself is done in violation of basic human rights, and that that should be the industry's main concern.
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