Discussions at the two-day Zimbabwe Diamond Conference held at Harare on November 6-7 were focused to a large extent on how diamonds could play a key role in the economic development of that country and the region. There were multiple sessions that dealt with beneficiation and related issues which were addressed by an impressive array of leaders both from the African producing countries, as well as others from international organisations like WFDB, CIBJO and others.

The conference was inaugurated by President Robert Mugabe who said that plans for expansion of mining and marketing of rough have been drawn up and the government was focused on “enabling the local diamond industry to benefit and transform the lives of local citizens”.

The theme was echoed by Zimbabwe's Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Walter K. Chidakwa, the host of the conference who said diamond mining was the country’s “most dynamic sector ....with average annualized growth of 35 percent”.

He said that the government has “rationalized the diamond cutting and polishing licensing system in such a manner that both government and the private companies benefit from the revenue of the business” and was seeking to associate with companies for “full integration from mining through cutting and polishing to jewelry manufacturing, product branding and international marketing and distribution".

Prof. Francis Gudyanga, the permanent secretary at Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, who also addressed the inauguration, said, “We are keen to discuss how diamonds can be mined to benefit African nations and foreign investors.”

Issues facing the industry were discussed by different panels over the two days with eminent speakers including Robert Mhlanga, the chairman of Mbada Diamonds (Private) Ltd;  Farai Mutamangira, the legal advisor to the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development of Zimbabwe;  Francis Gudyanga and Abbey Chikane, the first chair of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.

Some of the other speakers who addressed the conference included Eli Izhakoff, the honorary president of the World Diamond Council, the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) and of the CIBJO; Ernie Blom, the president of the WFDB; Gaetano Cavalieri, the president of CIBJO;  Alex Popov, Chairman, World Diamond Mark Foundation, Ahmed Bin Sulayem, the executive chairman of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre,  and Ari Epstein, the CEO of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre.

The sessions were moderated by Chaim Evan-Zohar of Tacy Ltd.

To view videos of the conference on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ZDC2014