“Greater information sharing between the Member States of the African Diamond Producing Countries Association should progressively result in us having a louder and more effective voice in the affairs of the global diamond mining sector,” New Zimbabwe.com quoted President Emmerson Mnangagwa as saying while officially opening the extraordinary meeting of the African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA) in Victoria Falls.
“The continued exportation of the raw diamond is a misnomer, especially in view of the fact that Africa produces about 60 per cent of the world’s diamonds. African diamond producing countries should now increase beneficiation and value chain development so that our countries become major producers of diamond jewellery and other accessories.”
The Zimbabwean leader also said that African governments should come up with mechanisms and resources to build infrastructure, and skills and train qualified diamond industry artisans.
“This is long overdue. Now is the time for us as Africans to begin consolidating our footprints in the global diamond industry,” he said.
“To this end, all efforts must be made towards establishing Africa as a hub of the diamond cutting and polishing industry.”
Zimbabwe took over the chairmanship of the Association of African Diamond Countries (ADPA) from Tanzania
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, in Zimbabwe, Rough&Polished
Exclusive
Dmitry Fedorov: I want our jewelry to be displayed at a museum in the future
Dmitry Fedorov is the founder of the eponymous jewelry house. His main focus is the creation of Orthodox-inspired premium luxury jewelry of high artistic merit. He told Rough&Polished about his journey in the jewelry industry, about choosing the ‘Orthodox...
28 october 2024
Responsible business practices ‘no longer optional’, says WDC President Feriel Zerouki
The president of the World Diamond Council takes time out of her busy schedule to tell Rough&Polished readers about the critical work of the WDC. Zerouki, the first female present of the body, which includes all the important industry organizations among...
14 october 2024
James Campbell: Botswana Diamonds optimistic as it enters uncharted territory of using AI for mineral exploration
London-listed Botswana Diamonds has expressed optimism about the company’s use of artificial intelligence (AI) to scan the exploration database in Botswana to look for new mineralised deposits. Company managing director James Campbell told Rough...
07 october 2024
Artur Salyakayev: For me, happiness is freedom to make my ideas happen and create valuable products
Artur Salyakayev is an art entrepreneur, founder of the International Jewelry Academy (IJA) and the INCRUA jewelry company. He has initiated and developed successful projects in jewelry industry and services sector. He is also a leading expert...
30 september 2024
Paul Zimnisky: China key for sustained recovery in demand for natural diamonds, prices
The curtailing of upstream and midstream natural diamond production in the past months is starting to have an effect on prices, according to the New-York-based independent diamond and jewellery analyst and consultant, Paul Zimnisky. He told Rough & Polished’s...
23 september 2024
