Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe visited a number of the country's diamond mining operations this week and declared that Zimbabwe would sell its diamonds regardless of international sanctions.



Byo24News reports that Mugabe said the government was satisfied that the diamond mining companies operating in his country were "fulfilling the objectives for which they secured permission to open mines" and was "waiting for the end product."



While the Kimberley Process remains at a standstill on the issue of diamond exports from Zimbabwe – with a unilateral decision by KP Chairman Mathieu Yamba to allow Zimbabwe to sell its diamonds having been effectively stymied by Western KP members – some countries have decided to buck the ban.



South Africa's diamond regulator recently announced that it would allow imports of Zimbabwean diamonds, and members of India's diamond industry are urging the country's central government to follow suit.



During his visit to a joint Chinese-Zimbabwean operation in the controversial Chiadzwa region, the president was informed that sampling had indicated that the diamond grade at Block D was not economically viable. Officials have requested a license to mine diamonds in another area.