Claiming that internal diamond controls are not rocket science, UK’s Global Witness said on Friday that existing technology could provide a solution to weak control systems, mainly in artisan mining areas.
Alex Yearsley of Global Witness said a system called DiamCare had demonstrated that “mine to point of export” internal controls for artisan-mined diamonds can be implemented, and that this seemingly intractable problem offers a solution.
“This system can provide internal controls in ways that work for producing countries and the diamond industry and strengthen Kimberley Process implementation,” Yearsley said.
Last month, the United Nations Group of Experts on Cote D’Ivoire identified embargoed conflict diamonds smuggled from Cote D’Ivoire to neighbouring countries.
Meanwhile, the diamond industry is taking countermeasures against a possible fallout from the film, ‘Blood Diamond’, starring Leonard de Caprio, when it is released next month.
According to the UN Group of Experts computerized registration of all persons involved in the trade connecting them to a specific zone, sector, area or mine can improve ineffective internal controls.
It has also recommended sales registration to track the diamonds from point of origin to sale.
These systems would be linked to Kimberley Process export control system.
DiamCare® was originally developed by Paul Motmans to meet the requirements of the UN for more effective sanctions implementation in Angola, and for Kimberley Process internal control requirements.
Since then, Motmans has refined the system, with advice from a group of international experts.
“I developed this system out of the practical need to control conflict diamonds in Angola, and expanded it into a complete system of internal controls after seeing the terrible price paid by victims of widespread diamond wars,” Motmans said.
The Diamond Development Initiative, which includes NGO’s, De Beers and the World Bank is one of the bodies now looking at DiamCare.
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