In response to claims made by non-governmental organizations in recent months regarding contravention of Kimberley Process regulations in diamond mining in Zimbabwe, a Kimberley Process Review Team headed by Mr. Alfred Kpandel Fayia, Liberia's Deputy Minister of Planning and Development, visited River Ranch diamond mine, as reported in the Herald.



The first inspection of River Ranch diamond mining practices was conducted in March this year. A third inspection is to take place next week, when Mines and Mining Development Minister Obert Mpofu is expected to examine River Ranch diamond mining operations. River Ranch is one of three diamond mines in Zimbabwe to undergo scrutiny by a Kimberley Process Review Team. A visit to the Murowa diamond mining fields in Zvishavane immediately followed the one at River Ranch, the Herald reports.



The current inspections aim to curtail smuggling of conflict diamonds out of the country, an initiative that is welcomed by Zimbabwe's diamond industry. Following the mine inspection, manager Dennis Mutombeni confirmed that conformation to the Kimberley Process protocols is a first priority for the local diamond industry. "Any bad news will taint our record and we might see our country being banned from trading in diamonds and hence we want to avoid such a scenario" said Mr. Mutombeni in the interview conducted by the Herald. Ensuing visits in Zimbabwe are expected to garner similar attitudes.