Reports of an Agreement on Zimbabwe Rough Diamond Exports

KP delegates are meeting in Kinshasa for an annual plenary meeting, with the issue of Zimbabwe's diamond exports at the top of their agenda. Sources close to the negotiations told IDEX Online that the European Union brokered agreement they are considering includes approval of exports from the Marange mines operated by Mbada and Marange Resources (formerly Canadile), the appointment of two monitors and possibly the approval of a third mine for exports, Anjin.

The two people currently considered for monitors are former monitor Abby Chikane and WDC Technical Committee chair Mark Van Bockstael.

Another issue delegates need to consider is the election of a KP vice chair. The U.S. was interested in the post, however its tough stance on Zimbabwe prevented a unanimous agreement, with several African countries opposing the U.S. bid.

After it voiced willingness to soften its stance on Zimbabwe, there is now a chance that the U.S. will be voted vice chair of the Process, and become KP Chair on January 1, 2012.

One unsolved issue is the approval of exports from the mine operated by Chinese miner Anjin. Either the two monitors will check the mine to ensure that it meets KP requirements - such as security standards that prevent theft from the mine - or that the mine will receive KP approval at the plenary.

Any future mines in the region will need to first be examined and approved by the two monitors, according to the reports.

Speaking during the opening session of the 2011 Plenary Meeting, World Diamond Council President Eli Izhakoff urged the forum to approve the agreement on exports from the Marange diamond fields in Zimbabwe as well as "move forward with a renewed sense of urgency, and tackle those issues that were sidelined or shelved, largely because of the Marange dilemma."

Izhakoff is referring to calls for a permanent secretariat, tasked to manage the daily affairs of the KP and provide the system with a sturdy management structure, communications that are more effective and a greater degree of continuity.

"Diamonds should be mined, processed and sold in an ethical manner, and that the proceeds of that activity fairly benefit all participants and stakeholders in the chain of distribution, and most importantly the individuals and communities in the diamond producing areas," the WDC President said about KP.

"That is the objective. That is what we should be moving toward. The Kimberley Process is not a goal unto itself - it is a means to that end."

The plenary is scheduled to end on Wednesday November 2.