‘Chinese fleecing gemstone miners’ 12 August 2022

THE Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) has named Chinese nationals as the biggest illicit gemstone dealers in Zimbabwe in a new investigative report supported by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime (GIATOC). GIATOC is a Switzerland-based international organisation, whose aim is to develop innovative strategies and responses to organised crime. CNRG, a natural resource-based watchdog, says Zimbabwe has a very wide assortment of coloured gemstones, estimated to be around 36 types, of which 12 are of critical economic value which include uncut diamonds, emeralds, aquamarine and sapphire.

…“These gemstones dealers are organised with networks from the communities, borders, and up to the final destination despite the existence of online companies who are registered under the Global Online Suppliers. “One known Chinese dealer called Mr Zhu has been reportedly fleecing gemstone miners by giving them plates of local meals, beer or loaves of bread before taking over their mines.” Based on its investigations, CNRG noted that buyers exploit those who pick these stones by buying at low prices, for instance, paying US$3 per kilogramme of aquamarine while some buyers offer US$500 for a cupful of gemstones.

…“Despite hosting deposits for more than 90% of coloured gemstones found in the regions. Zimbabwe has not been able to establish a robust market for the stones,” CNRG observed. Failure to establish a proper market for gemstones is contributing to some miners withholding the stones to sell to illegal dealers who provide immediate cash though at heavily discounted rates. “Dealers avoid MMCZ because it is inefficient and slow. It was revealed that it takes more than two weeks for a sample of gemstone to be approved for export by MMCZ,” CNRG said.