The 9th General Meeting of the African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA) witnessed fervent discussions centered on the crucial topics of value addition and beneficiation within the diamond industry. Honorable Umaru Karom, Deputy Minister of Mines and Minerals Resources of Sierra Leone, and Honorable Zhemu Soda, Minister of Mines and Mining Development in Zimbabwe, spearheaded the discourse, emphasizing the paramount importance of these processes.
In his opening address, Honorable Karom underscored the necessity of conducting beneficiation and value addition activities within the borders of diamond-producing nations. He fervently advocated for discarding the antiquated practice of mere extraction and exportation, urging a shift towards maximizing economic contributions through local processing.
Meanwhile, Minister Zhemu Soda of Zimbabwe echoed similar sentiments, affirming his country’s steadfast commitment to extracting maximum value from its diamond resources. Zimbabwe, he declared, has instituted policies aimed at promoting local beneficiation and value addition initiatives, thereby fostering job creation and economic diversification within its borders.
Minister Soda lauded ADPA for convening the Council of Ministers meeting, recognizing it as a platform for sharing knowledge and best practices within the diamond sector. He urged African nations to take proactive measures in championing the cause of value addition and beneficiation, asserting that it is time for them to transition from being mere rough diamond producers to suppliers of cut and polished gems.
Echoing these sentiments, ADPA Executive Director Ella Muchemwa stressed the importance of generating actionable recommendations from the conference. She emphasized the need for tangible outcomes that would propel the diamond industry towards greater value addition and beneficiation across the continent.
Amidst the backdrop of animated discussions and impassioned speeches, the 9th General Meeting of ADPA emerged as a pivotal juncture for African nations to chart a course towards maximizing the potential of their diamond resources through value addition and beneficiation initiatives.