An international diamond expert who has visited Zimbabwe revealed yesterday that if the Marange diamond fields are exploited to their maximum, the country could become the world's largest diamond producer in the world.
Fillip van Laere of the Antwerp Diamond Industry in Belgium spoke at the official launch of the Zimbabwe Diamond Technology Centre in Harare. He drew from projections based on mining activities by the two companies in the area in order to demonstrate that Zimbabwe is capable of producing 40 million carats of diamonds per year which would earn her approximately $ 2 billion (£1.3 billion).
Van Laere is part of a four-member Belgian delegation which is currently touring Zimbabwe. His team met with Mines Minister Obert Mpofu on Monday and were all present at the launch.
At the present, only 10 percent of the fields in the controversial eastern Marange region are being mined, but according to the diamond expert, production would increase if more players are brought in to work in the area.
Van Laere explained that Zimbabwe has the potential of transforming into the world's most important diamond producer, outdoing leading countries such as Russia, Botswana and South Africa. He highlighted that Harare's major obstacle lies in harvesting the diamonds responsibly in order to maximise profits.
Van Laere said Zimbabwe is gradually accumulating value to the diamonds and increasing revenue from the stones due to the recent launch of the new diamond technology centre which cuts and polishes the rough Marange diamonds.
The $13 million (£8.45 million) centre is owned by Canadile Miners. The company’s chairman Cogan Matanhire assured delegates present at the launch that when fully operational, the new centre will generate over 7 000 jobs.
Mashonaland West governor, Faber Chidarikire, was the guest of honour at the launch and explained how the centre will lighten the blow for fiscal authorities since it expected to reel in more revenue into Zimbabwe.