Country Report Zimbabwe April 2011

Economic policy: The US threatens a blacklist of diamond companies

Meanwhile the US is threatening to blacklist international companies that deal in Zimbabwean diamonds, despite the Kimberley Process apparently approving the sale of the gems (Economic policy, March 2011). The new chairman of the Kimberley Process, Mathieu Yamba, was quoted on Rapaport Diamond Trading Network's website as saying that Zimbabwe's diamond sales should go ahead pending "an administrative decision", and that exports from the mining operations of Mbada and Canadile-two of the five companies operating in the controversial Chiadzwa-Marange diamond fields-are "authorised to resume". However, Mbada and Canadile are already on an international sanctions list, while the World Diamond Council has advised members to refrain from trading in Zimbabwean gems until the situation is "clarified".

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