Policies & Issues

Marange Diamond Protests: What the Industry Should Know

Policies & IssuesNov 09, 2021

Marange Diamond Protests: What the Industry Should Know

A company called Anjin is mining in Zimbabwe again, stirring up protests among area residents that resulted in 29 arrests.

2021_Diamonds-stock.jpg
Twenty-nine people were arrested but later released after protesting the return of mining company Anjin to Zimbabwe’s Marange diamond fields. The company left the country under a cloud of controversy in 2016.
Chiadzwa, Zimbabwe—Zimbabwe’s Marange diamond fields are in the news again amid local concerns about one mining company returning to the area. 

More than two dozen locals who were protesting the operations of Anjin in Marange were arrested Nov. 2.

They have since been released, according to multiple sources in Zimbabwe, but Anjin’s presence in the area—and the issues locals have with it—are still a conversation the people who live in the Marange area want the trade to have.

Anjin is a joint venture between Chinese company Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Group (AFECC) and Matt Bronze, an investment vehicle of the Zimbabwean military.

The company mined in Marange previously, from 2009-2016, before the government revoked mining licenses from the companies operating in the area and created its own Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC).

At the time it expelled Anjin, the government accused the company of looting billions of dollars’ worth of the country’s diamonds, an accusation it denied.

There were also claims of human rights violations surrounding Anjin in Zimbabwe, including destroying infrastructure like roads, schools, farmland, and sacred areas, as well as concerns over how it treated employees and allegations it left the country without paying local employees the money they were owed. 

Now, according to numerous reports and sources on the ground, Anjin is once again mining diamonds in Marange.

The Zimbabwe Independent reported that Anjin took over Portal B, a diamond-rich mining claim in Marange, under “unclear circumstances.”

Local news stories dating back to 2019 indicate the miner returned a few years ago. Shamiso Mtisi, coordinator of the Kimberley Process Civil Society Coalition and deputy director at Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association, confirmed these reports to National Jeweler.

Mtisi said Anjin has been re-establishing its operations in the area since then and possibly started mining for diamonds earlier than 2021, which is when Anjin claims formal mining operations resumed.

The return of a company with such a history in the country has angered locals.

The people of Marange responded with protests starting in late October, according to the Marange Women’s Alliance (MWA), which is sponsored by the Responsible Jewelry Transformative.

They were protesting that local communities weren’t consulted before Anjin returned, nor were they compensated for Anjin moving onto their land.

Additionally, Anjin’s return has caused problems between clans, the women of MWA told National Jeweler, since Anjin asked one clan to perform an important ceremony calling on their ancestors for prosperity on another clan’s lands

The protestors were hoping their actions would force Anjin to meet with locals and hear their concerns, but when area residents were asked to meet with Anjin officials, 29 of them, including a local leader, were instead arrested. 

No contact information for Anjin or AFECC could be found online to reach out to for comment on the recent protests and arrested in Zimbabwe. 

 
This “weaponization of the law to silence community voices” concerns Farai Maguwu, founding director of the Centre for Natural Resource Governance, which works to improve governance of natural resources in Zimbabwe. He added that arresting a traditional leader who is inquiring about events happening in his community is a violation of the Traditional Leaders Act and Zimbabwe’s constitution.

“Government should have engaged (the local communities) and found an amicable solution,” Maguwu said.

Both the Marange Women’s Alliance and the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (via Twitter) confirmed the 29 individuals who were arrested have been released on bail but were served with restraining orders to stay 100 feet away from the mining concession.

The Marange Women’s Alliance told National Jeweler there doesn’t appear to be any plans for negotiations at this time.

A tweet from the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association indicated the case had been remanded in the courts until Nov. 22.

“The incident and arrests points to deep-seated unease between the community and the company,” Maguwu said. “The diamond industry must call on the government of Zimbabwe to respect the rights of local people—among them, the right to development.”

Marange has been in the headlines since diamonds were discovered there in 2006.

Maguwu has been calling attention to issues in the area for a long time, recently in an August column for Rapaport, in which he declared the Kimberley Process “continues to greenwash the country’s conflict diamonds.”

 Related stories will be right here … 

The Kimberly Process imposed an export ban on Marange diamonds in November 2009, but just two years later formerly approved the export of diamonds through two companies—Mbada Diamonds and Marange Resources.

Both companies were added to the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctions list and still are on it, according to the OFAC website.

The timing of the recent protests and arrests putting Marange in the spotlight once again comes just as the Kimberly Process kicks off its 2021 Plenary meeting (Nov. 8-12), hosted by the Russian Federation, the current chair.

National Jeweler reached out to the World Diamond Council for comment on the situation but WDC President Edward Asscher deferred comment until after the meeting.  

In a Monday press release, though, the WDC said Asscher reasserted the need for KP members to agree to expand the definition of “conflict diamond” at the meeting’s opening session to support long-term consumer confidence.

The KP Civil Society Coalition said it plans to make the developments in Zimbabwe part of the event’s conversation, Mtisi recently confirmed to National Jeweler.

The coalition opened the meeting Monday with what it termed a “reality check,” and provided important updates, including both promising as well as worrying developments from diamond-producing countries.

In a recent editorial on JCKOnline.com, longtime industry journalist Rob Bates argued the KP isn’t likely to address such issues, however, and instead offered two other solutions for the trade from industry experts as well as a few ideas of his own. 

The Latest

Ritani Y2K engagement rings campaign
MajorsOct 10, 2024
Why Ritani Is Partying Like It’s 1999

The jeweler is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a throwback campaign.

Pomellato Memorie D’Archivio Collection
CollectionsOct 10, 2024
Pomellato Revives Past Designs for New Capsule Collection

“Memorie D’Archivio” was inspired by the “Mora” and “Mosaico” collections the brand introduced in the ‘90s.

1094 carat rough diamond Karowe mine
SourcingOct 10, 2024
Lucara Sells Clara to Its Original Founders

CEO William Lamb said divesting the diamond sales platform allows the company to focus on the underground expansion of Karowe.

Article-Top-Image.jpg
Brought to you by
Enhance Your Expertise with IGI’s In-Person Courses in NYC

This fall, sharpen your skills in jewelry grading, quality control and diamond assessment.

Oscar Heyman 2024 holiday catalog
MajorsOct 10, 2024
Oscar Heyman Releases 2024 Holiday Catalog

It features 124 jewels and a variety of colored gemstones.

Weekly QuizOct 03, 2024
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
National Jeweler columnist Peter Smith
ColumnistsOct 09, 2024
Peter Smith: 7 Things to Know When Selling Luxury

Ahead of the holiday season, Smith delves into the often subconscious reasons people buy luxury products for themselves or their loved ones.

Edgar Mitchell wearing Rolex watch on Apollo 14
AuctionsOct 09, 2024
Rolex Worn on Apollo 14 Mission Up for Sale

The GMT-Master “Pepsi” belonging to astronaut Edgar Mitchell is a standout in RR Auction’s online “Space Auction,” going on now.

1872x1052-Brought-to-you-By-Article-Image-Top (1).png
Brought to you by
Why You Can't Miss JA New York This Fall

Don't miss this one-stop-shop in October, curated with buyers’ needs in mind.

Simon meet me at the mall campaign
MajorsOct 09, 2024
New Simon Campaign Invites Gen Z to ‘Meet Me At The Mall’

The ads celebrate the mall culture of the ‘80s and ‘90s.

Platinum Guild International training
MajorsOct 09, 2024
PGI Launches New Virtual Sales Training

Retail sales associates can access the video series on mobile to refresh their selling skills.

Sotheby’s A Tsar’s Treasure: Ferdinand of Bulgaria
AuctionsOct 08, 2024
Sotheby’s Selling Jewelry That Belonged to a Bulgarian Tsar

The November auction will feature a collection of jewels owned by Ferdinand I, the first king of modern Bulgaria, and his family.

Rough diamonds mined at the Diavik Diamond Mine
SourcingOct 08, 2024
Rio Tinto Begins New Phase of Production That Will Extend Diavik’s Life

Commercial production has begun underground at the Canadian diamond mine’s A21 pipe.

Stock image of hand holding phone by keyboard
SurveysOct 08, 2024
What to Know About Online Shopping This Holiday Season

Deloitte and Adobe Analytics shared their insights on the season, from the retail sales forecast to the role of generative AI.

Sylvie and Uncommon Man Campaign
CollectionsOct 08, 2024
Sylvie Adds New Men’s Bands

The Texas-based jeweler collaborated with luxury clothing brand Uncommon Man on men’s bands designed with European influences.

Diamond on polishing wheel Venus Jewel India
SourcingOct 08, 2024
Is Current Diamond Industry Turbulence Shaping a ‘New Normal’?

Industry players have found ways to cope with market conditions while working to reshape themselves in the face of emerging realities.

Rio Tinto 2024 Beyond RareTM Tender Art Series
SourcingOct 07, 2024
Rio Tinto to Offer 76 Diamonds in 2024 Beyond Rare Tender

The sales event, in its second year, features a selection of rare diamonds from the miner’s Argyle and Diavik diamond mines.

Kristi Yamaguchi and Scott Heller
CollectionsOct 07, 2024
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi Partners With Heller Jewelers on New Collection

A portion of the proceeds from the “Always Dream” collection will go to Yamaguchi's foundation, supporting early childhood literacy.

Hill & Co. logo
SurveysOct 07, 2024
Hill & Co.’s New ‘Business of Jewelry Report’ Is Out

The first in what is slated to be a series of in-depth reports from the consulting company, it focuses on shortening supply chains.

Benjamin Clymer and the Porsche Design x Hodinkee limited-edition watch
WatchesOct 04, 2024
Watches of Switzerland Clocks Another Acquisition—Hodinkee

The company said Benjamin Clymer will return to his role as head of the watch news website, which will maintain editorial independence.

Forevermark store Mumbai India
SourcingOct 04, 2024
How India Became the World’s Second-Largest Market for Diamond Jewelry

A strong economy, a growing middle class with an affinity for brands, and rapid expansion of organized retail have fueled the market’s rise.

Gabrielle Grazi
MajorsOct 04, 2024
Hearts On Fire Names Gabrielle Grazi VP of Sales, North America

The industry veteran is also the president-elect of the Women’s Jewelry Association.

Ray Griffiths Double Headed Snake Ring
CollectionsOct 04, 2024
Piece of the Week: Ray Griffiths’ ‘Double Headed Snake’ Ring

Slither into spooky season with this scary snake ring that boasts two heads with tsavorite eyes.

Stock image of police cars with lights on
CrimeOct 03, 2024
Man Who Shared Spoils of $2.7M Smash-and-Grab on Social Media Pleads Guilty to Robbery Charge

Ladell Tharpe, 39, took part in a 2022 jewelry store robbery and then posted pictures of cash on Instagram with the text “Robbery Gang.”

Sheryl Jones
MajorsOct 03, 2024
JA Appoints New Board Director

The trade organization welcomed Sheryl Jones to its board of directors for a three-year term.

Pandora chief marketing officer Berta de Pablos-Barbier
MajorsOct 03, 2024
Pandora Names 3rd CMO in Past 5 Years

New Chief Marketing Officer Berta de Pablos-Barbier has worked for LVMH’s champagne brands and Kering-owned Boucheron.

Assael earrings
TrendsOct 03, 2024
Amanda’s Style File: October’s Arrival

Transition to fall with this month’s birthstones of opal and tourmaline.

Dame Shirley Bassey’s
AuctionsOct 03, 2024
Dame Shirley Bassey’s Diamonds Are Ready for Their Encore

Sotheby’s will auction jewelry belonging to the “Diamonds Are Forever” singer Oct. 10 in Paris.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy