The ManicaPost
Sugar Chagonda
Correspondent
ZIMBABWE has been commended for embracing the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) standard by the Kimberley Process (KP), a development which has witnessed a significant reduction of reports of violence and other forms of social ills in the Chiadzwa diamond fields.
The submission was made by the Kimberley Process Civil Society Coalition (KP CSC) coordinator, Mr Shamiso Mtisi during the official opening of the Kimberley Process Plenary in Moscow, Russia this week.
Addressing delegates to the 2021 Kimberley Process meeting, Mr Mtisi gave an account of what he termed a reality check of what they had observed among communities impacted by diamond mining in various countries.
“In my own country, Zimbabwe, we have witnessed some promising developments. Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) has become the first diamond mining company to embrace the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA).
“The IRMA seeks to answer the global demand for more socially and environmentally responsible mining.
“It offers independent third-party verification and certification against a comprehensive standard for all mined materials. ZCDC is undergoing a self-assessment in preparation for IRMA auditing. This is commendable,” said Mr Mtisi.
IRMA standard is designed to support the achievement of four overarching principles for an organisation and these are; business integrity, planning and managing positive legacies, social responsibility and environmental responsibility.
Mr Mtisi said last year, the Kimberley Process Civil Society Coalition had invested resources in grassroots monitoring of diamond mining in various countries.
They have been mapping the socio-economic and human rights impacts of artisanal, small and large-scale diamond mining in eight African countries, namely Lesotho, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast and Zimbabwe.
In countries where they don’t have civil society members, such as Angola, Mozambique, India, UAE, Tanzania and Botswana, they were doing remote monitoring through online sources and local contacts.
In October, Government commissioned a tripartite national level KP Compliance Self-Assessment process which is still underway evaluating compliance with Kimberley Process’ minimum requirements.
Lessons learnt are expected to be shared with the KP membership.
The KP Plenary meeting agenda under the chairmanship of Russia is focusing on the finalisation of key initiatives considered to be a priority in advancing sustainable development of the global diamond industry.
These includes digitalisation of KP certificates accompanying export — import operation with rough diamonds, explore the principles of responsible sourcing as the best practice for the industry.
Another topical issue is the situation in Central African Republic (CAR) where an expert mission is expected to be sent to evaluate the country’s compliance with minimum requirements with KP Certification Scheme.
The Kimberley Process will also consider the applications of new countries to join the organisation which are Qatar, Kyrgyz Republic and Mozambique.
The Zimbabwe delegation is being led by Mines and Mining Development Minister, Dr Winston Chitando.
The delegation comprises the Attorney General, Advocate Prince Machaya, ZCDC Chief Executive Officer, Mr Mark Mabhudhu, Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) General Manager, Mr Tongai Muzenda, and leaders of the Civic Society Organisations.
