According to surveys of mining sites conducted by UNAMSIL, more than 50 per cent of diamond mining still remains unlicensed and reportedly considerable illegal diamond smuggling continues.

Revenues from diamond exports have continued to increase as the Government has increased its control over the diamond mining sector.

The Government continued to implement measures to reassert its control over diamond mining through the issuance of more mining licences.

According to surveys of mining sites conducted by UNAMSIL, more than 50 per cent of diamond mining remains unlicensed, and reports indicate that there is still a considerable degree of illegal diamond smuggling.

Women have long been engaged in traditional gold panning and small scale diamond mining.

However, the Transitional Government has continued to struggle to establish security throughout diamond mining areas.

More than 50 per cent of diamond mining activities in the country are still unlicensed.

The Government has made considerable progress in increasing its control over the diamond mining sector.

A total of 2,300 diamond mining licences were issued in 2004 compared to 800 in 2001.

Although mining monitors have been deployed in the major diamond mining areas nationwide, their work is limited by a lack of transport and other logistical constraints.

In addition, diamond mining rights and boundaries continue to be a major source of disputes among chiefdoms.

While the suspension on 14 January 2005 of the issuance of all licences and permits for diamond mining continues (see S 2005 176), mining activity has not been curbed in the interior.

This exponential growth is believed to be linked to increased Government control over diamond mining and its compliance with the Kimberly Certification Scheme.

The establishment of this system is expected to start in Kono in October 2005, and to be expanded later to other diamond mining areas.

The Government of Sierra Leone, with the support of UNAMSIL, is proceeding with the implementation of the diamond mining cadastral system launched in December 2004.

State authority has been restored throughout Sierra Leone and significant strides have been made towards re establishing the Government's control over the country's diamond mining sector.

While it has deployed monitors in the major diamond mining areas nationwide, their efficiency remains limited, owing to a lack of transport and other logistical constraints.

Commendable progress has been made in the diamond mining sector, particularly in the area of licensing and the substantial increase in the official exports of diamonds.

Bringing diamond mining under effective control will therefore be a long term effort that requires active community involvement and international support long after the exit of UNAMSIL.

With the support of DFID, the World Bank, UNDP and UNAMSIL, a national cadastral system is being established, which would facilitate the settlement of disputes over mining rights and boundaries of territorial administrative units, as well as mining sites, and would contribute to creating an environment conducive to private investment in the diamond mining sector.

This remarkable growth is linked to increased Government control over diamond mining through the implementation of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme and related measures taken by the Government.

The Government should be encouraged to continue to build on initiatives aimed at generating additional revenue, including development projects for local communities, from the vital diamond mining sector.

Much also remains to be done to further consolidate State administration throughout the country and fully restore Government control over diamond mining activities, as described in paragraphs 7 to 25 below.

The Panel continues to receive credible reports that while some licensed diamond dealerships in Monrovia have suspended operations in line with the current moratorium on diamond mining, the numbers of foreign buyers running ad hoc buying offices from hotels and guest houses is on the increase in line with illegal production.

While the Government has deployed monitors in the major diamond mining areas nationwide, their efficiency remains limited, owing to lack of transport and other logistical constraints, and corruption is reportedly also a problem.

Also welcomes the adoption by the plenary meeting of the Kimberley Process of a declaration on improving internal controls over alluvial diamond production, which sets out recommendations for effective internal controls over alluvial diamond mining and encourages potential donors to provide capacity building assistance to further the effective implementation of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme

Further progress by the Government is needed, although it should be noted that ensuring effective control over diamond mining is a long term process requiring the close involvement of local communities and sustained international support.

Your diamond you've all heard, probably seen the movie Blood Diamond.

8. Also welcomes the adoption by the plenary meeting of the Kimberley Process of a declaration on improving internal controls over alluvial diamond production, which sets out recommendations for effective internal controls over alluvial diamond mining and encourages potential donors to provide capacity building assistance to further the effective implementation of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme

The Diamond Area Community Development Fund, which provides a proportion of funds from the 3 per cent export tax on diamonds to chiefdoms in which mining is carried out, is also supporting development in those areas.

Diamond Mine

Diamond trading

As a result of this support, the Government of Sierra Leone has been able to extend its authority throughout the country, including in diamond mining areas, which has helped it to significantly increase official exports of diamonds.

Plenary heard the first report of the ad hoc sub group on alluvial production established by the Gatineau Plenary meeting in October 2004, and adopted a Declaration setting out recommendations for effective internal controls over alluvial diamond mining.

Dodgin' Diamond 2

Conflict diamond affected countries

World Diamond Counsil (WDC)

51 1988 Coll. on Mining, Explosives and the State Mining Administration.

Voiceover New Diamond Shreddies cereal.

This diamond is not real.

The application of the law on mining activities, explosives and the State mining administration is in the competence of the Chief Mining Authority.

Mining beyond the approved limits of mining areas or seams shall be forbidden.

So we have a diamond drill.

This has a diamond bottomed lake.

Jared Diamond on why societies collapse