(Rapaport…August 17, 2005) A mix of diamond industry leaders and non-government organizations (NGOs) aim to address problems associated with diamond diggers across Africa. Under the group name Diamond Development Initiative (DDI) all parties involved commit to meet the various political, social, and economic challenges facing the diamond mining sector.
De Beers, Global Witness, Partnership Africa Canada, World Bank, and the Rapaport Group of Companies initiated the project.
The primary goals of DDI are to gather and disseminate diamond mining related information as well as to promote better understanding of and possible solutions for government and mining regulations, distribution and marketing channels, free and open markets for artisanally mined diamonds, organization among the miners, and legitimate and transparent distribution channels.
The partnership also intends to address the ongoing issue of conflict diamonds and the Kimberely Process Certification Scheme (KPCS,) which has been credited with increasing the official diamond exports from Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
DDI plans its first meeting in Africa in either October of November of 2005. The meeting will be open to all NGOs, development agencies, companies and government officials who are interested in furthering the objectives of DDI.