Mining Weekly reports that despite the Kimberley Process’s recommendation to suspend Zimbabwe's membership due to irregularities at the Marange diamond fields, Zimbabwe Mines Minister Obert Mpofu recently said that Zimbabwe can assure security of tenure at the country's mines.



Speaking at the fifth annual Mining in Africa Conference in Johannesburg, Mpofu stated negotiations have already begun, and expressed his gratitude towards multinational diamond mining companies like Rio Tinto, Anglo Platinum and Impala Platinum, which have proven their commitment to long-term investments in Zimbabwe.



Currently, the law in Zimbabwe states that 51% of all diamond mines in Zimbabwe must be owned by the Zimbabwe government. Mpofu stated that there are processes underway in Parliament to change this law. The new government, he said, aspires to develop Zimbabwe and achieve long-lasting stability.



Mpofu was supposed to speak at a mining conference in London in June, but his request for a visa to the UK was denied. An alternative conference was therefore held in Johannesburg.