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million carats of rough diamonds and now awaits Kimberley Process Certification Scheme to start exporting, a senior Government official has said.
“Anjin are stockpiling and they now have about one million carats,” Mines and Mining Development Deputy Minister Gift Chimakire said in an interview on Monday. “They are now waiting for inspection and certification from the Kimberley Process to start exporting.”
On a 50-50 percent shareholding basis, Anjin is a joint venture between Government, through the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation, and Chinese investors.
Anjin, alongside Mbada Diamonds, Marange Mineral Resources, Pure Diamonds, and Sino-Zim are the five companies licensed to mine at the Chiadzwa diamond fields.
Last month, Mbada Diamonds and Marange Resources were given the green light to resume diamonds export under the KP.
KP chairman Mr Mathieu Yamba on March 19 said Zimbabwe could resume exporting Chiadzwa gems “with immediate effect”.
But other KP members, including Canada and the US, protested against Mr Yamba’s decision. They argued that there was need for consensus before Zimbabwe is allowed to resume diamonds shipments.
In an interview with an international news agency, the KP said it would not reverse its decision because of the objections of some member countries.
Mr Yamba said a review would be conducted at future meetings of the group.
According to reports, Mines and Mining Development Minister Obert Mpofu said: “We are going ahead because we are compliant.” Complaints by countries such as Canada, the US and Australia are political games. They are bent on frustrating our economic development. Zimbabwe has acted responsibly and will continue to act responsibly.”
Zimbabwe has so far exported diamonds worth about US$174 million under the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.