Zimbabwe diamonds saga – the letter that sparked it all

Kimberley Process Certification Scheme chair Mathieu Yamba declared that diamonds from Marange Resources and Mbada could be exported with immediate effect on 23 June and those from other mines in Marange could be exported after verification of compliance by KP monitors.

Yamba’s decision has sparked controversy that is rocking the diamond industry splitting the producers and consumers, with most of those in the industry accusing the consumers of politicising the issue.

Yamba re-appointed Abbey Chikane as one of the monitors but also appointed Mark van Bockstael, considered one of the intellectual architects of the KP, to work with him.

He said if the two failed to agree, the Chair would resolve the matter.

Here is Yamba’s letter.

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