This is achieved through royalty, tax contributions, initiatives and robust sustainable development projects. Murowa is firmly committed to building a sustainable legacy that will improve the economy and lives of its communities, region and the country. RZM Murowa is “more than diamonds” as it’s making a significant impact in the country that goes way beyond producing diamonds. After having more than tripled its capacity in 2016, RZM Murowa today is a global top 10 diamond mine enabling it to become one of the biggest exporters and foreign currency generators for Zimbabwe. In 2015, RioZim led a strategic overhaul exercise for the Company which resulted in a radical change in its business by steering it to a new life of mine plan, a new approach to mining and a massive brownfield expansion of the plant code-named ‘Project Sunrise’. The mine produces reasonable quantities of large ‘special’ stones. Its current name-plate capacity is around 1.2 million carats per annum of predominantly white, gem-quality diamonds. RZM Murowa Mine is a 24-hour open pit diamond mining operation. ZCDC was listed in the top ten operating mines in Zimbabwe in 20 by Mining Zimbabwe. The Government’s objective was to ensure that there would be transparency, accountability and optimal commercial exploitation and marketing of diamonds in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (Pvt) Ltd (ZCDC) was formed following the March 2015 Government decision to consolidate all diamond mining companies in Zimbabwe to form a wholly-owned Government Company. ZCDC was issued with Special Grants 60 which vests mineral rights to carry out mining operations for diamonds in Chiadzwa and Chimanimani respectively. The Company is conducting diamond exploration and resource evaluation programs across Zimbabwe and expects to open new mines in other parts of the country soon. The Company has diamond mining operations in Manicaland in Mutare’s Chiadzwa area and in Chimanimani. Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company is a Private Limited Company wholly owned by Defold Mine (Pvt) Ltd which has 100% shareholding. ZIMBABWE CONSOLIDATED DIAMOND COMPANY (ZCDC) Zimbabwe currently has four authorised diamond miners namely ZCDC, RZM Murowa, Alrosa and controversial miner Anjin. Eight companies were issued with Special Grants to mine diamonds in Marange and in Chimanimani. Alluvial diamonds were first mined in Marange in 2006 and in 2009. In layman’s terms, alluvial diamonds are “the low hanging fruit” in diamond mining due to the simplistic mining and processing methods that can be used to recover them. There is no need to drill and blast the host rocks to liberate diamonds. These diamonds in the tertiary environment are generally called alluvial diamonds.Īlluvial diamonds are relatively easy to mine as only excavation, hauling and processing is involved. Subsequent weathering and erosion of the conglomerate rock further liberated the diamonds into a tertiary source where they occur in their natural state on slopes, paleochannels, low lying areas, streams and rivers. The diamonds in Chiadzwa were carried from the primary source and deposited in the basal conglomerate rock which is a secondary source /environment. The weathered diamondiferous material was transported by fluvial processes and deposited in the shallow basin in Chiadzwa, Zimbabwe in the Umkondo sedimentary formation aged about 1 billion years old. Use of a hammermill without commissioning is illegal The Chiadzwa alluvial diamonds are a product of weathering and erosion of the primary source. Only a small proportion of Kimberlites and Lamproites are diamondiferous. The primary source of diamonds are Kimberlites and Lamproites, these occur as pipes and dykes from the earth’s crust. Zimbabwe is known to host several kimberlites whose economic and commercial viability is yet to be ascertained. If the deposits are mined extensively, it is believed that Zimbabwe has the potential of being a major player in global diamond production. The recent discovery of significant placer diamond deposits at Chiadzwa points to significant potential in ancient basins on the edges of the craton. With similar geology to these areas, the well-exposed Zimbabwe craton presents vast opportunities for kimberlitic diamond discoveries. Globally economic kimberlites are commonly found in ancient cratons such as the Kaapvaal, the Siberia and the Congo cratons. Diamond Mining in Zimbabwe is mainly conducted in the East of the country which is home to one of the world’s richest diamond deposits.ĭiamond is a gemstone of enormous potential in Zimbabwe.
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