Staff Reporter

Zimbabwe will assume the chairmanship of the Kimberly Processing Certification Scheme (KPCS) in 2023, the Harare Post can report.

This was revealed ahead of the PKCS review scheduled for May this year.

According to a contact within the Chamber of Mines, Isaac Kwesu, the KPCS reviews are done every five years.

“This is routine for the KPCS members, these reviews are done every five years to assess compliance status and for Zimbabwe, this was long overdue since the last assessment was done in 2012.

“The assessment has come at an opportune time when Zimbabwe is earmarked to assume the chairmanship of the KPCS in 2023,” said Kwesu.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe has been carrying out self-assessments through the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Energy with the last one having been held in 2021.

“As a country we are ready for the KPCS review with a few areas that still need attention.  However, the process is on-going, such as the training of customs officers and the upgrading of security systems at Anjin Investments among others,” Kwesu said.

Recently, the Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Nick Mangwana rubbished allegations of forced labour at Marange mining fields, a smear campaign meant to discredit Zimbabwe ahead of the review by the KPCS.

Zimbabwe is estimated to have one of the world’s richest diamond reserves, which is a vital revenue earner for the country.