By Shadreck Gurenje
Vice President Colonel (RTD) Kembo Mohadi has urged diamond players to ensure that they undertake sustainable development projects in the mining areas they operate for continuity support to the community development and beyond.
Giving his keynote address at the opening of the KIMBERLEY PROCESS PLENARY MEETING in Victoria Falls, Vice President Colonel (RTD) Kembo Mohadi said Zimbabwe is proud to have got the opportunity to Chair the Kimberley Process and as government they will ensure the interests of the diamond sector are well preserved.
Vice President Mohadi also urged the Kimberly Process Participants to continue the good work and support all players in the diamond sector as well support corporate social responsibility projects.
“I urge all Kimberley Process Participants and Observers to continue the good work and l encourage you to take into consideration the voices of the rough diamond producers. It is important that the communities we mine our mineral resources see the benefits of the diamonds from their regions.
“Peaceful coexistence of mining companies and communities is important to keeping the diamond sector on an upward trajectory. “Responsible mining initiatives should be initiated to ensure that mining companies extract mineral resources in a sustainable manner,” said Vice President Mohadi.
Vice President Mohadi has also reiterated that under the Second Republic government has taken matter of sustainable mining audit countrywide and the move has paved way for harmony between government and mining houses.
“I urge all Kimberley Process Participants and Observers to continue the good work and l encourage you to take into consideration the voices of the rough diamond producers. It is important that the communities we mine our mineral resources see the benefits of the diamonds from their regions.
“Peaceful coexistence of mining companies and communities is important to keeping the diamond sector on an upward trajectory. Responsible mining initiatives should be initiated to ensure that mining companies extract mineral resources in a sustainable manner.
“My Government has taken the matter of sustainable mining as a key priority and we had a Responsible Mining Audit conducted countrywide in May and June 2023. This is part of initiatives aimed at creating harmony between government, mining companies and the community,” said Vice President Mohadi.
Zimbabwe is the current Chair of the Kimberley Process in 2023 taken over the Chairmanship from Botswana. The Kimberley Process Plenary Meeting was preceded by the Special Forum on evolving nature of conflict in the context of conflict diamonds and FRAME 7: Principles of Responsible Diamond Sourcing events held on the 5th of November 2023.