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This article participates on the following special index pages:
Marange, Chiadzwa and other diamond fields and the Kimberley Process - Index of articles
Civil society calls for increased transparency in the diamond mining
sector
Crisis
in Zimbabwe Coalition
March 09, 2012
The Kimberly
Process Civil Society Coalition representatives in Zimbabwe who
visited the Marange
Diamond Fields on the 7th of March held a press
conference today, 9 March where they called for increased transparency
in the diamond mining sector. The CSOs noted with concern the absence
of adequate and information on quality and quantity of diamonds
produced as all mining failed to furnish the relevant information.
The CSOs which
include, the Center
for Research and Development, Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition,
Counseling
Services Unit, National
Association of Non Governmental Organizations, Women's
Coalition of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe
Environment Law Association and the Zimbabwe
Lawyers for Human Rights welcomed the idea to tour the mining
sites which include Marange Resources, and Mbada in the Chiadzwa
area. Since the discovery of diamonds in Chiadzwa in 2006, government
was reluctant to allow NGOs to visit the area.
The press statement
noted that there is improved security in the Marange diamonds fields
especially on the installation of physical security systems at mining
sites. Also of much significance was the strong social responsibility
programmes delivered through community share plan which is characterized
by the construction of housing units and social service amenities
for affected families including a new clinic, primary and secondary
schools, and water supply systems.
In conclusion
the press statement demanded that:
- There is
need to improve on transparency and accountability on production
data, revenues generated and allocation of mining rights.
- There is
need for government to carry out comprehensive exploration and
put in place legal, policy, and institutional and financial measures
to ensure liability.
- Health measures
should be taken to ensure dust emissions that comes as a result
of industrial activities within the mining fields do not result
in serious respiratory diseases which are a violation to the human
rights to health.
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in Zimbabwe fact
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