WFDB Praises Lifting of Sanctions on Zimbabwe Miner

(IDEX Online News) – World Federation of Diamond Bourse (WFDB) President Ernie Blom has welcomed the decision by the European Union (EU) to lift sanctions on the export of diamonds from mines in Zimbabwe that are owned or partly owned by the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC).

Blom said, "By lifting sanction on the import of diamonds from Zimbabwe into Europe, it prevents any illegal exports and as such also makes it possible to formalize diamond exports and mining operations in Zimbabwe for the development of the Zimbabwean people to benefit from the countries rich mineral resources.”

Imports of rough diamonds from the ZMDC into the EU are permitted as of September 25. In addition, the lifting of sanctions means that imports from other companies linked to the ZMDC are also allowed.

These include: Marange Resources, Canadile, Mbada, Kimberworth Investments and Diamond Mining Corporation (DMC).

Rough diamonds produced by ZMDC must arrive in a tamper-proof container and be accompanied by a valid Kimberley Process Certificate for entry into the EU.