Zimbabwe has reportedly doubled diamond production to 1,8 million carats in the just ended year from 961 000 carats in 2016.  

The rise in diamond production is expected to translate into increased economic development.

Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) CEO, Dr Moris Mpofu said pursuant to achieve an effective diamond value management, the company had stopped selling diamonds in February last year.

However, Dr Mpofu said after putting in place appropriate systems for sorting and evaluation, the ZCDC is now ready to return to the market by the first quarter.

ZCDC is also transforming to conglomerate diamond mining by the first quarter in line with the new political dispensation 100 day quick win targets.

Zimbabwe’s diamond industry is working with Botswana to benchmark best practices and diamond mining technology systems.