A study by the Zimbabwean government has revealed the existence of three new diamond fields, Mines Minister Obert Mpofu said Sunday.

Mpofu reportedly told the Sunday Mail state-owned newspaper that diamond deposits had been identified in Binga, on the shore of Lake Kariba, and in Masvingo, along the road to South Africa. Masvingo is located approximately two hours' drive from the Chiadzwa diamond fields. A third deposit was discovered in the country's western Tsholotsho region.

According to the minister, the government was organizing an effort to expedite diamond exploration activity at these sites. In addition, Mpofu said his ministry was looking at a short list of possible candidates to head the Zimbabwe Minerals Explorations Corporation (ZMEC), an initiative intended to help the government determine the extent of Zimbabwe's mineral resources.

Recently, a diamond industry expert from Antwerp visited Zimbabwe – whose diamond trade has been constrained due to international concerns over reported human rights abuses in the Chiadzwa and Marange diamond fields - and told media that the country could soon become the biggest diamond producer in the world.