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Prosper Ndlovu and Leonard Ncube in Victoria Falls

THE need to ensure that local communities benefit from investments that exploit their natural resources was a key topic at the 9th Ordinary Meeting of the African Diamond Producers’ Association (ADPA) officially opened by President Mnangagwa yesterday.

Coming at a time when African economies are grappling with the multiplicity of emerging global realities, delegates highlighted the importance of leveraging African mineral resources to transform lives and economic growth, and called for a focus on community well-being and environmental conservation.

Zimbabwe, the outgoing ADPA chair, is hoping to achieve an Upper Middle-Income economy earlier than its targeted date of 2030, with Anjin Investments, Rio Zim Murowa and Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company playing key roles.

ADPA is also initiating responsible diamond sourcing initiatives through a proposed Sustainable Diamond Standard.

President Mnangagwa set the tone by challenging delegates and regional member states to come up with policies, regulations and strategies that promote accrual of more benefits to communities, including being responsive to environmental conservation issues.

“The benefit and interests of our peoples should be the guiding key when it comes to the exploitation of our abundant natural resource endowments,” said President Mnangagwa in his keynote address.

“We have an obligation to guarantee sustainability in the manner we exploit our natural resources. This is good for us, and is in our interest. After all, it is the host communities that give mining companies a social licence to operate.

“Those that use the diamond sector, and mining sector in general to divide our communities should never be condoned,” he said.

In his brief remarks, Vice-President Dr Constantino Chiwenga, who also attended the indaba, called for collective control and ownership of mineral resources such as diamonds so that their exploitation yields more gains to indigenous communities for a prosperous Africa.

“Having control of the destiny of our diamond resources is key to us in ensuring that African people benefit from our resources. We should seize this moment to re-imagine our relationship with diamonds as producers,” said Dr Chiwenga.

“Diamonds should be seen as a sparkle of the sustainable and prosperous Africa for all and let’s use them to be a representation of sustainable development and empowerment of our communities.

“As a gathering of the major source of rough diamond production globally, I encourage you to make decisions for the betterment of the future generations across Africa.

“I encourage our diamond mining companies to undertake exploration activities and discover more kimberlite pipes within our country. This will further result in the growth of our diamond sector,” he said.

He reiterated Government’s commitment towards creation of a conducive business environment as the country continues to pursue investment opportunities in the mining sector with willing investors on a mutually beneficial basis.

Zimbabwe is the outgoing ADPA chair, and Dr Chiwenga said this highlights the trust African countries have in the Second Republic.

Secretary-general of the Africa Minerals Strategic Group, Mr Moses Michael Engadu, weighed in and concurred that Africa must maximise its resources for the benefit of its people.

“As a continent we should be a market and consume our own products as well as create jobs while improving the quality of life of our people,” he said.

“We must come together to have a strong voice to ensure that we are not left behind as we beneficiate our minerals so that we build our continent brick by brick.”

Mines and Mining Development Minister, Cde Zhemu Soda, said the body had increased its visibility on the global diamond trade and has been making inroads in making the voices of the diamond producers heard.

He said the conference was being held when the diamond sector is facing global complexities, which need Africa’s collective unity to tackle them.

“This meeting should remind all of us of the importance of our diamonds to our economies and the future of our continent. Let us use our diamonds to captivate the world and betterment of our communities,” said Minister Soda.

“Our diamonds have captivated the world with unparalleled beauty, therefore, let us make our voices heard as the African continent.

“As we meet today, let us foster a spirit of unity, collaboration and mutual respect in order to tackle the challenges that are evident in our diamond sector.”

Incoming ADPA chair, Sierra Leone, through its Deputy Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Mr Umaru Napoleon Koroma, in a speech read on his behalf, paid tribute to Zimbabwe for successfully hosting this year’s conference.

He noted that major deliberations were incisive and reiterated the need for collective efforts in growing the sector and creating more wealth benefit for local communities.

ADPA is already seized with initiatives in the implementation of responsible diamond sourcing through the proposed Sustainable Diamond Standard.

In Zimbabwe, diamonds have been a catalyst for change and have contributed to the Gross Domestic Product.

Speaking at the same occasion, Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Cde Richard Moyo, said the province had experienced a massive boost in the economic and social welfare of citizens due to investment in the mining sector.