Mozambique admitted to Kimberley Process – AIM report

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

Mozambique admitted to Kimberley Process – AIM report

7:00 CAT | 17 Nov 2021

File photo: For illustration purposes only. [File photo: Folha de Maputo]

Mozambique’s recent admission to the Kimberley Process (KP), in Moscow, Russia, opens possibilities for a Mozambican diamond industry, whereby several companies can now explore for diamonds in promising areas across the country.

Interviewed on Monday in Maputo by Radio Mozambique (RM), the Secretary General of the government’s Kimberley Process Management Unit, Castro Elias, said the country has satisfactorily fulfilled all the requirements for admission.

The KP, Elias pointed out, unites the administrations in 82 countries, civil societies, and industry in reducing the flow of conflict diamonds – defined as “rough diamonds used to finance wars against governments” – around the world.

“After Mozambique’s admission, companies can prospect for and exploit diamonds,” he said, adding that Mozambique sought KP membership after identifying diamond bearing areas at the mouth of the Limpopo River, along the Save River between the provinces of Gaza and Manica, and in Tete and Niassa provinces.

Elias believed that, in the prospection phase alone, Mozambique can create over 5,000 jobs. Facilities such as roads, water wells and access to electricity will be created within the communities where the activities will be conducted.

So far, Mozambique has issued 44 licences for diamond prospection, for both national and foreign companies, but 78 other requests are underway.

After the recent Kimberley Process meeting, he said, the Russian Alrosa group, specialised in the exploration, mining, manufacture and sale of diamonds, expressed its interest in entering Mozambique. This company has a strong presence in other southern African countries, such as Angola and Zimbabwe.

Read: Mozambique: Nyusi hopes for cooperation with Russia over diamonds – AIM

Mozambique first sought membership of the KP process in 2014, but the assessment team turned Mozambique’s application down.

Mozambique sought to comply with all the requirements, among them the creation of the KP management unit, and in September 2020, the second assessment team gave the green light for the country’s admission.

Read: Mozambique: Committee recommends admission to diamond trade | Kimberley Process

Mozambique: Government to set up warehouses, mobile brigades to certify diamonds, precious metals and gems

Gaza: 20 companies licensed to prospect for diamonds in Chicualacuala and Massangena

Source: AIM