Mugabe Moves in on Diamond Exploration Claim

The seizures in Zimbabwe began in 2000 with white-owned farms. Now, almost seven years later, President Robert Mugabe and his government have decided to seize a diamond mining exploration claim as well.

African Consolidated Resources plc, a British-listed mineral exploration company, was ordered off its diamond claim last week. The company holds more than 1,000 claims in Zimbabwe. It is involved in diamond, gold, copper, nickel and platinum exploration.

Roy Tucker, the company’s financial director said, “It was granted title by the government’s Ministry of Mines.” African Consolidated Resources was the first mining company to invest in Zimbabwe after the political crisis began in 2000.

“We have a dispute about the title,” said Tucker. The dispute centers around one of the company’s exploration sites in the Marange district, in south eastern Zimbabwe. After diamonds were discovered there, a diamond rush ensued. Tucker said 15,000 people descended on the mine in search of diamonds this summer.

Company officials estimated that £120 million worth of diamonds were dug out of the earth by desperate people. Most of those diamonds were then sold illegally. The site also became a health hazard, as there were no toilet facilities available for the thousands who camped out on the land.

“Working together with police, the company was able to move thousands of people off the land,” Tucker said. “It was a huge undertaking. Still, there’s a dispute over the claim. We feel confident we will win and we are in negotiations with the government now.”

The company said it has no intention of leaving Zimbabwe. According to Tucker, the company’s chief executive, Andrew Cranswick, is now on his way to Zimbabwe. The Telegraph quoted Cranswick who said, "I don't believe Zimbabwe would allow illegal seizure of claims without due process." African Consolidated Resources will challenge the eviction order in court.