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D.E.F. RESPONDS TO TIME MAGAZINE “BLOOD DIAMONDS” ARTICLE
Editor’s Note: The following letter is authored by Phyllis Bergman, President of the Board, CEO, Mercury Ring Corporation; Nancy Orem Lyman, V.P., Executive Director and Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Co-Founder, Senior Strategic Advisor for the Diamond Empowerment Fund.
The Diamond Empowerment Fund (D.E.F.) is a global nonprofit organization founded and funded by the diamond industry to support education initiatives in diamond communities. We have witnessed first-hand how the global diamond industry has contributed significantly to improving the quality of life of millions of people whose livelihood and work are connected to it.
We were, therefore, especially concerned about the recent Time Magazine article by Aryn Baker. While the article focused mainly on issues regarding alluvial mining conditions in Africa, the content of Time’s piece overshadowed the tremendous good that the industry does as part of its global commitment to responsible sourcing, sustainable economic development, and productive social transformation.
Ms. Baker’s coverage did reference in part some of the positive impacts that industry-related programs currently have on alluvial mining communities. Indeed, D.E.F. proudly supports another one of the Diamond Development Initiative (DDI)’s mobile schools as mentioned in Time’s article, which consist of traveling teachers and portable materials brought to remote mining communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where children, particularly girls, would not otherwise have full access to education.
Given the importance of diamonds to so many communities globally, we felt it necessary to give broader context to alluvial mining and to reinforce the many positive programs embraced by the diamond industry. While only 15 percent of diamonds are mined alluvially, alluvial mining accounts for a majority of the challenges the industry faces.
“Alluvial diamonds” refer to diamonds removed from kimberlite rock by millions of years of erosion and then deposited in areas such as riverbeds. These deposits are spread across huge areas that cannot be easily isolated, and are therefore often mined in an unregulated way.
In many cases mine workers have no other option for employment and support a whole family on the wage given. The situation alluvial miners face today reflects the fundamental challenges of mining in a previously war-torn country like the DRC, where extreme poverty and a lack of basic infrastructure, education and healthcare pose major issues.
Organizations like DDI are working to help regulate alluvial mining and find sustainable methods of mining and distributing diamonds for the ultimate benefit of local communities and governments. The DRC is home to 71 million Congolese, of which 71 percent are currently living below the poverty line; but with the vast wealth of resources found in the Congo, the country is poised to emerge as a leading economy in Africa. The growth of alternative industries to mining will help create a more competitive job market where the average salary will advance.
The vast majority of diamonds are mined in Botswana, Angola, South Africa, Namibia, Australia, Canada, and Russia, in formal mining operations where responsible business practices such as building and supporting sustainability in mining communities are in place.
For example, founding member of D.E.F., De Beers, has long been actively engaged with the communities around their mines. Mercy Sithagu, the 51-year old owner of Sithagu Farm in South Africa, received grants and mentorship from De Beers Zimele Program and was able to grow her farm to be so successful she was named ‘Female Farmer of the Year’ in 2012. The Zimele Program, named for the Nguni word meaning to “stand on your own feet,” is part of De Beers commitment to building a prosperous South Africa by empowering local communities.
We at D.E.F. are committed to sharing these good stories of giving back through our website DiamondsDoGood.com. The industry continues to work towards lasting productive changes, even in the face of challenges…one diamond at a time.Article from the Rapaport Magazine - October 2015. To subscribe click here.
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