Zimbabwe diamond resources are some of the largest in the world. Imperialism has attempted to prevent the Southern African state from trading its most lucrative resource on the world market., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.
300 firms apply for diamond licences
Saturday, 16 March 2013 21:06
Zimbabwe Herald
Kuda Bwititi
More than 300 foreign companies have applied for licences to mine diamonds in Marange in a development expected to bring Zimbabwe under the spotlight at the Dubai Diamond Conference which kicks off this Tuesday.
The two-day-conference, which seeks to explore strategies around expanding the world diamond industry, is expected to attract major international stakeholders.
Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC) chairman Mr Godwills Masimirembwa told The Sunday Mail last week that the applicants were drawn from all five continents.
Although he would not readily state their names, he indicated that the applications were still being considered.
“The conference will once again provide Zimbabwe with an opportunity to claim its position as an integral player in the diamond industry.
“You should know that, as we speak, there are over 300 companies from all the continents in the world that have applied to mine diamonds in Marange.”
Mines and Mining Development Minister Dr Obert Mpofu - who will lead the Zimbabwe delegation to the conference - said the event provides Zimbabwe a platform to reaffirm its significance in world diamond trade.
He said the country will also strongly advocate the lifting of sanctions on firms operating in Marange.
“It is not a secret that Zimbabwe is now a key player in the diamond industry.
“We can no longer be ignored.
“In a way, this conference is a follow-up to our own conference that we hosted in Victoria Falls,” said Dr Mpofu.
“We are hopeful that this conference will provide a platform to explore strategies to grow our diamond trade. We have proved through the operations in Marange that we have the capacity to do things transparently and contribute positively to the world diamond industry.”
Zimbabwe has not been able to trade its gems freely on the international market owing to Western-imposed economic sanctions.
More than 500 delegates have confirmed participation at the conference.
Among the notable speakers are South Africa’s Minister of Mineral Resources, Susan Shabangu; the executive chairman of the Dubai Multi-commodities Centre, Ahmed Bin Sulayem; diamond expert Mr Chaim Even-Zohar; and Mr Peter Meeus, the chairman of the Dubai Diamond Exchange.
One of the conference organisers, Ahmed Bin Sulayem, who attended Zimbabwe’s Diamond Conference in Victoria Falls last year, said the event is expected to turn Dubai into the premier diamond trade destination.
“The Dubai Diamond Conference is a fantastic opportunity for key industry leaders to gather and discuss opportunities to drive growth as we focus on becoming the premier destination for luxury buying in the Middle East and South Asia.”
Mr Suliman Al Othaim, the chief executive of Suliman Othaim Gold and Jewellery, said the conference should strengthen relations between African diamond producers and the Middle East.
“The Middle East’s retail diamond industry has seen a considerable rise in prominence, with the number of retail outlets selling diamond jewellery tripling in recent years.
“We expect this to continue with increased co-operation between African producers and Middle East retailers.”
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