Blood Diamond Industry

What are blood diamonds?

Diamonds mined in areas controlled by forces opposed to the legitimate government and sold to fund military action against that government.

How do companies profit from blood diamonds?

By exploiting consumer demand for diamonds, companies secure supply regardless of human cost, maintaining competitive advantage.

What are the main steps in the blood diamond trade?

1. Mining in rebel-controlled areas

2. Selling to merchants or smuggling 3. Merging with legitimate diamonds 4. Funding military actions.

Why is it difficult to trace the origin of diamonds?

Once polished, cut, or buffed, rough diamonds lose indications of their origin, making tracking nearly impossible.

What are some consequences of the blood diamond trade?

Violence, worker exploitation, environmental destruction, and destabilization of regions.

Which countries are significantly affected by blood diamonds?

Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Zimbabwe, and Angola.

What is the Kimberly Process?

An international certification scheme aimed at preventing the trade in conflict diamonds.

How do rebel groups benefit from blood diamonds?

They finance conflicts and maintain power by controlling diamond-rich regions and exploiting civilians for labor.

What are some human rights abuses associated with blood diamond mining?

Forced labor, child labor, hazardous working conditions, and low pay.

What environmental impacts are caused by diamond mining?

Deforestation, soil erosion, water contamination, and creation of disease risks from abandoned pits.

How do corrupt government officials benefit from the diamond trade?

They exploit diamond revenues for personal gain, often using violence and corruption to maintain control.

What role do consumers play in the blood diamond trade?

Consumer demand for diamonds drives companies to source diamonds regardless of ethical concerns.

What was the financial impact of blood diamonds on countries like Sierra Leone?

Profits from diamonds funded wars and corruption, deepening poverty and destabilizing the region.

What atrocities are funded by conflict diamonds?

Murder, mutilation, forced displacement, and other acts of violence against civilians.

What example illustrates the exploitation of diamond resources in the DRC?

Rebel groups have exploited the DRC's resources to finance warfare, leading to human rights violations and economic instability.

What happened during the Angolan Civil War related to diamonds?

The UNITA rebel group financed its conflict through profits from diamond sales.

How did Charles Taylor and Robert Mugabe benefit from diamonds?

They profited from diamond revenues to fund wars and maintain political power.

What was the outcome of the 2008 Belgian police raid on Omega Diamonds?

A $150 million diamond seizure due to falsified documents hiding diamond origins.

Why are blood diamonds confused with legitamite gems?

Purchasers in the West often cannot distinguish conflict diamonds from legitimate gems.

What has been a major consequence of rebel groups exploiting natural resources in Africa?

Civilians are trapped in cycles of violence and poverty.

How many miners rely on diamond mining as their primary source of income in the Congo?

Approximately 1 million miners.

What is the estimated potential revenue from diamond mining for Zimbabwe?

Over $4 billion a year.

What method is used to process diamonds in Zimbabwe?

Dense medium separation, involving a toxic chemical mix.

What environmental issue arose from large-scale diamond processing in Zimbabwe?

Pollution of the Odzi River, leading to serious health and environmental damage.

What significant event occurred in Zimbabwe in 2008 related to diamond mining?

Loyal soldiers and police killed more than 200 people.

What was the outcome of the UN Security Council's ban on rough diamond exports from the Ivory Coast?

The ban was lifted in 2014 when the country complied with international certification regulations.

What sparked the First Ivorian Civil War in 2002?

A military coup attempt by the rebel group Les Forces Nouvelles.

What was the role of diamonds in the Sierra Leone Civil War?

Diamonds funded the conflict, allowing opposing forces to continue fighting.

What is the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS)?

A certification process created to stop the flow of conflict diamonds.

How many countries participate in the Kimberley Process?

60 participants representing 86 countries.

What are the main bodies of the Kimberley Process?

The Plenary and the Secretariat.

What is a requirement for countries to become members of the Kimberley Process?

Enforce KP regulations and only trade with other member states.

What are some pros of the Kimberley Process?

Reduced flow of conflict diamonds, creation of a certification system, and increased international awareness.

What are some cons of the Kimberley Process?

Narrow definition of conflict diamonds, voluntary compliance, and loopholes in enforcement.

What colonial power controlled the Ivory Coast before its independence in 1958?

France.

When were diamonds first discovered in the Ivory Coast?

In 1928.

What was the economic condition of Sierra Leone in the mid-1980s?

Around 80 percent of the population lived below $1 (USD) per day.

What was the impact of British companies on diamond production in Sierra Leone by 1937?

They unearthed one million carats annually, worth between $2 billion to $25 billion USD.

What was the main cause of civil unrest in Sierra Leone from 1991 to 2002?

Profits from diamonds allowed rebel forces to continue fighting.

What is the significance of the Odzi River in relation to diamond mining in Zimbabwe?

It was relied upon by local communities before large-scale diamond processing caused pollution.