Diamond firms urged to scale up security

Lloyd Gumbo in Chiadzwa
Companies mining diamonds in Chiadzwa must set the pace in security operations beyond Kimberley Process Certification Scheme standards, Mines and Mining Development Minister Walter Chidhakwa has said.He made the remarks yesterday during his maiden tour of the diamond mining companies since his appointment to that portfolio in September this year.

“We must go up in terms of our security not because of KPC,” he said after touring Mbada Diamonds’ security checks and the control tower that is linked to Mbada headquarters in Harare.

“We must exceed KPC. We must set the pace so that when people come here they will say KPC has been re-defined in Zimbabwe. I must commend you for what you have done in your security. It’s impressive.”

Minister Chidhakwa said it was important for the mining companies to value add the diamonds than exporting them in their raw state.
Minister Chidhakwa implored the mines to get together and improve the road network and provide food for local families who faced starvation because they did not harvest sufficient crops due to drought.

He said they should engage in corporate social responsibilities in communities around the area as pay back to dislocated families.
“If our minds lead us to diamonds, then our hearts must lead us to looking after people who live around us,” said Minister Chidhakwa during the tour of Diamond Mining Company.

“I would like to have companies, I will be mentioning this to all the companies that you must get together and agree to share (constructing) the road.”

Minister Chidhakwa said it was important for foreign investors to pay back to communities where they do business. This, he said, would improve relations between Zimbabwe and the countries they come from.

Minister Chidhakwa implored DMC to stop discharging effluent water into the river saying it was bad for the environment. During the three-day tour, Minister Chidhakwa will alsovisit other diamond mining companies, Anjin, Marange Resources, Jinan, Gye Nyame and Kusena.

He will also tour a gold mining company in Penhalonga DTZ-OZGEO and Arda Transau where families that were in the mining areas were relocated.