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.

The draft plan recommends an increased UNMIL presence in diamond mining areas, as well as the lifting of the temporary ban on diamond mining in the country.

In December 2004, the Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy began surveillance of diamond mining areas and discovered evidence of illegal diamond mining in Lofa, Nimba and Grand Gedeh Counties.

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.

It has prohibited the issuance of diamond mining licences and has trained 120 personnel in the Kimberley Process.

The Mining Decree of 1986 is being revised and a new investment law is in the works that will facilitate increased investment in the gold and diamond mining industry.

In July and August, following the discovery of diamond deposits in Sanquin District, Sinoe County, some 20,000 people moved into the area, where they started illegal alluvial diamond mining activities.

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.

Artisanal diamond mining activities are increasing in several areas such as in the Sanquin District, Sinoe County, resulting in security and public health risks, while uncontrolled mining is causing considerable environmental damage.

In 2002, the sector has continued to show a declining trend both for diamond production as well as mining and quarrying.

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.

UNMIL continued to report to the Transitional Government the results of its aerial and ground surveillance of areas in which illegal diamond mining is being carried out.

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.

Welcoming the progress made by the National Transitional Government of Liberia with training for diamond mining officials, but noting with serious concern the increase in unlicensed mining and illegal exports of diamonds and the National Transitional Government of Liberia's agreement to, and lack of transparency in, granting exclusive mining rights to a single company,

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.

Diamond

Diamond

Diamond!

Diamond!

Diamond!

Diamond.

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.

Pursuant to Art 36 of the Constitution ... and Art 8 of the Law of May 8th, 1945 ... we hereby declare that ... all diamond mining in the Guluve Valley ... must stop immediately

Diamond Mine

Diamond trading

Diamond Tree

Geometric Diamond

Diamond Reverse

One diamond.