Zim women seeks claims in Marange diamond fields

Zimbabwe’s Women in Mining said the government should allocate them diamond mining claims in Marange and other major mining concerns.
"If we cannot have concession then the government should ensure that proceeds from diamonds are allocated to the development of women's projects," Women in Mining vice president Christina Matika was quoted as saying by VOA’s Studio 7 Radio.
The group, which includes women in small to medium mining enterprises, said their calls for mining concessions had been ignored.
This was not surprising as the country’s ministry of mines said recently that it would not give diamond mining claims in Marange to artisanal miners.
It said that it was easier to manage and securitise a smaller number of people or companies than large numbers, adding that once small scale miners were allowed, the issues of numbers would be difficult to manage.
“The Marange diamond area is predominantly an alluvial deposit. The diamonds are on surface and extracting the diamonds is simple. For that reason the security of the diamond is a major challenge,” said Zimbabwe’s deputy mines minister Gift Chimanikire told Rough & Polished last month.
“The companies already mining at Marange had first to install high security at a major cost. Small scale miners will find this to be a challenge.”
Zimbabwe had partnered with companies from South Africa, China and Lebanon in joint ventures that many say had disenfranchised locals, including women.

Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished