Zim to Get KP Certificate_Zimbabwe will soon resume exporting its diamonds as the monitor expressed satisfaction at the country’s diamond industry’s compliance with the minimum Kimberly Process Certification Scheme standards.

"Based on evidence provided by the government of Zimbabwe and private investors, and on...first-hand assessment of the situation, Zimbabwe has satisfied the minimum requirements of the KPCS for trade in rough diamonds," said a report by Kimberley Process (KP) monitor Abbey Chikane.

South African monitor Abbey Chikane was appointed to assess diamond operations at Zimbabwe's Chiadzwa fields to the east of the country, following an agreement between the southern African country and the KPCS.

"The KP monitor is ready to supervise export arrangements, in close collaboration with the relevant Zimbabwean authorities and other relevant parties," the report said.

The report said that Chikane is available for another visit to conduct certification under the supervised export mechanism at the invitation of the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development.

Two South African companies, Grandwell Holdings and Core Mining, are mining diamonds in 50-50 joint ventures with the government in Chiadzwa.

The government says it has stockpiled more than two-million carats while waiting for the Kimberley Process certification.

Last month, Mines Minister Obert Mpofu banned all diamond sales from Zimbabwe, including from Rio Tinto's Murowa mine, which produced 124 000 ct in 2009, and the privately owned River Ranch mine, until the country got KPCS approval to sell the Chiadzwa diamonds.