Up until now, the state-owned Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation has partnered with diamond companies from different countries in order to search for precious gems in the Marange region of the country. But now the ZMDC is keen on searching for rough diamonds on its own, and to that end has invested $4 million in making that option a possibility, Rough and Polished reports.

AMDC general manager Jerry Ndlovu said that if all goes according to plan, the subsidiary it's establishing for the purposes of carrying out mineral exploration will be operational by the end of the calendar year. Its first objective would be to conduct a thorough survey of the country's vast mineral wealth, which includes not only rough diamonds but also gold, platinum, graphite and iron ore. This accumulated knowledge would be shared with potential investors, enhancing the possibilities for new joint ventures, according to Rough and Polished.