Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu called for caution if the definition of 'conflict diamonds' is reviewed.
|||Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu called for caution if the definition of 'conflict diamonds' is reviewed, according to a report on Tuesday.
Shabangu was speaking at the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) inter-sessional meeting in Washington on Monday, Zimbabwe's Herald Online reported.
Chairwoman Gillian Milovanovic, from the US, proposed that the definition of conflict diamonds should include “any diamond-related violence”.
Shabangu said that if the matter was not handled carefully, the KPCS could face divisions and it could have dire implications for the “millions of people who rely on diamond revenue”.
Through “the spirit of Ubuntu” countries like Zimbabwe could access the diamond sector, which she said was “a springboard for economic growth and development”.
Milovanovic said the broader definition was needed to ensure the credibility of the KPCS. - Sapa