Maravi

(NEWZIMBABWE) Kimberley Process approves Zimbabwe proposal

Kimberley Process approves Zimbabwe proposal
by Avi Krawitz I Rapaport
19/01/2011 00:00:00

ZIMBABWE moved one step closer to legally exporting diamonds from its Marange mine after all members of the Kimberley Process (KP) approved a proposal to enable the exports.

“This is an important step forward to allow the exports but the Zimbabwe saga is not yet over,” said a source close to the negotiations. “We are still waiting for a response from Zimbabwe but more importantly, it is now up to the KP chair to formalise the agreement through an administrative agreement.”

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) took over from Israel as KP chairman on January 1. The KP members responded to a written proposal sent out by 2010 chairman, Israel’s Boaz Hirsch, after talks at the KP’s annual plenary failed in Jerusalem in November.

The now approved amendment raised the veto conditions on the KP’s working group for monitoring so that any three members, rather than two, can submit a report should Zimbabwe breach the joint working plan meant to keep Marange operations in compliance.

In addition to enabling exports from the two operating mines at Marange – those operated by Mbada and the Zimbabwe Mining & Development Corporation (ZMDC) -- the agreement makes provisions for future mines being developed in the fields.

The role of the KP monitor for Marange will also change so that no supervision of shipments will be required, as was stipulated before. The role of the monitor will solely be to oversee the compliance at the mines.

Zimbabwe has been battling to sell diamonds from Marange, but has met with stiff opposition from western countries including the United States, Canada and Australia who allege on-going abuses at the diamond mines in the eastern parts of the country.

Opposition to the diamond sales, expressed via the Kimberley Process, drew anger from Zimbabwe which threatened to flood the international diamond market with cheap gems, thereby causing havoc on the markets.

Labels: KIMBERLEY PROCESS, MARANGE DIAMOND FIELDS

posted by MrK @ 4:31 PM