AFRICA: THE African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA) member states have
deliberated on strategies to augment the worth of rough diamonds and collaborate in the mineral markets rather than depending solely on markets beyond Africa.The agenda has been considered during the Council of Ministers’ 9th African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA) ordinary meeting, which started on Tuesday and is scheduled to end today in Zimbabwe.
Opening the meeting, Mines and Mining Development Minister, Zhemu Soda, who chairs ADPA on behalf of Zimbabwe, urged the conference’s participants to consider their shared interests as members of the same state and to work together more closely rather than viewing one another as rivals in the marketplace.
“We have had challenges during our time, as you might be aware; that is, when the G7 countries intended to come up with their protocol on how diamonds are to be segregated and how they will be traded or marketed, which was opposed to what they had been obtaining previously.
“It’s something that is still a challenge for all ADPA members, but I am happy that we now have a common approach to challenges and are able to work together as an African family,” he noted.
The delegation of Tanzania in the meeting is led by the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Minerals, Mr Msafiri Mbibo, accompanied by the Assistant Commissioner of Mines, Small Mining Development Section, who is also the Coordinator of ADPA to Tanzania, Francis Mihayo, and the Administrative Officer, Henry Shadolo.
The 9th African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA) ordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers has begun amid calls for member states to harmonise diamond policies and enhance the sharing of ideas to realise value from the natural resource.
The high-level conference is being attended by members and observers and will end today, when Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to officiate.
It is a platform for discussion on rough diamond beneficiation and value addition. At least 60 per cent of world diamonds come from Africa, yet the continent has limited cutting and polishing services.
Raising the price of rough diamonds on the African continent will aid in preventing the sale of minerals that have not been enhanced in value, boosting local employment possibilities and national income.
During the summit, representatives from a number of nations, including Namibia, Angola, South Africa and Zimbabwe, gave presentations and discussed ways to develop their countries’ diamond-related value-adding industries. With roughly 19 members, Zimbabwe is now chairing the ADPA Conference.
The Russian Federation is an observer at the event, while Zimbabwe is backed by Sierra Leone as vice chairman
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