African diamonds — MINING.com
Diamond
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Africa is the main diamond producer in the world, with the leading producers of the resource being Botswana, Angola and South Africa.
Diamonds have been increasing in value but the sale proceeds do not reach the people, as they continue to benefit the elites and the mine companies that are often foreign-owned.
“Billions have vanished before ever reaching the Zimbabwean Treasury,” a report by the British anti-corruption group Global Witness states, adding that the country, which is Africa’s fifth largest producer of diamonds has its secret service and military syphoning off a significant portion of the revenue for themselves.
In other countries like Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo, diamond deposits have led to violence and poverty.
