Diamonds are ForeverResources

Achievement Standard 91432 version 1Analyse a geographic topic at a global scale

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THE LOCATION OF THE MAJOR DIAMOND MINES AND TRADING CENTRES

SOME KEY PLAYERS IN THE DIAMOND TRADECEO of Tiffany’s or De Beers

NGO’S eg. Global Witness or Amnesty International

World Diamond Council

Diamond Smuggler

Governments of Sierra Leone, Botswana, Cote D’Ivoire, DRC

Kalahari Bushman

Diamond Mining

Company

Jeweller

Refugee (of Angola, Sierra Leone, Cote D’Ivoire, or DRC)

Actresses/Mode

ls

Arms Dealer

Engaged Couple

Government of United States

of America

Miner (Subsistence miner or forced to mine by rebel group)

Kimberley Process Monitor

Rebel Leader

Child Soldier

Diamond Expert in Antwerp,

Belgium

THE DIAMOND INDUSTRY

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DIAMOND QUOTES“I have nothing against diamonds (or rubies or emeralds or sapphires). Gems are beautiful and desirable. To buy or not to buy is an individual decision. But it has to be an informed decision. I do object when their acquisition is complicit in the debasement of children, or the destruction of a country. I find it unconscionable that the resources of the third world be exploited for the sake of our vanity, and above all that billions of dollars of corporate profit are built on the backs of workers paid a dollar a day. The story of Sierra Leone is not unique. My hope is that in telling a story like this, it might help prevent it from happening again.” - Edward Zwick 2006 (Director of film Blood Diamonds)

ExplorationModern exploration uses highly sophisticated technologies to determine the economic viability of deposits. Examples include airborne surveys. Approximately 5,000 kimberlites are currently known in the world, but only 100 or so of these contain sufficient diamonds to be of economic interest.

MiningGem quality diamonds are mined primarily in Russia,

Botswana, South Africa, Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Namibia and Australia. There are different types of mining

operation used to extract diamonds depending on the

environment in which they are found. The majority of diamonds

are extracted on an industrial scale by open pit mining and underground mining. After

extraction, the ore containing the rough diamonds goes through many stages of

crushing and processing before it can be sorted and classified. Diamonds are also extracted

from alluvial deposits. Diamond mining on a non-industrial scale

is undertaken involving individuals, families and

communities and using the most basic equipment, such as sieves

and pans – this is known as artisanal digging.

It takes ~250 tons of mined ore to produce one HYPERLINK "http://www.photius.com/diamonds/glossary.html" \l "Carat"carat of finished diamond.

Selling rough diamondsMore than 50% of the world’s production of rough, polished and industrial diamond passes through Antwerp. 8 in 10 of

all rough diamonds in the world are handled in Antwerp. A single company, De Beers,

controls a significant proportion of the production and trade in diamonds. They are based in Johannesburg, South Africa and London.

Rough diamonds are sorted based on characteristics such

as shape, size, colour, cuttability and quality. The

Diamond Trade Company (the distribution arm of De Beers) sorts and distributes 45% of the world’s rough diamond

supply. The balance is sorted and sold in centres such as Antwerp and more recently Mumbai. In 2005 $US900

million rough diamonds and $US15 billion polished ended

up being sold in the US.

Cutting and polishing

The primary diamond processing centres, where they are evaluated, cut and sold are in Antwerp; India, Tel Aviv and New York. 92% of diamond pieces cut in 2003 were in Surat, Gujarat, India. Over 1 million people are employed in Surat cutting and polishing industry. Although the wages of 40 cents for a cut and polished diamond are poor this is considerably higher than most wages in India.

Selling on world markets1 in 2 of all cut diamonds

passes through Antwerp. The Antwerp diamond sector has

an annual turnover of 39 billion U.S. dollars. 30.000

people are directly or indirectly employed by the Belgian diamond sector. Antwerp is the world’s

diamond capital; Israel is a complementary trade centre,

supplying North America. Dubai is the regional

distribution centre for the Middle East. New York is the

primary port of entry into the US, and the largest market for diamonds in the world. The US, is where almost 80% of

the world's diamonds are sold, including at auction. In 2005

diamond sales in the USA reached $33.7 billion. The World Diamond Council was

established in 2000 to prevent the trading of diamonds used

to fund war and inhumane acts.

“Illicit diamonds make fabulous profits for terrorists and corporations alike. The trade illustrates with the hard clarity of the gem itself that no matter where human rights violations occur the world ignores them at its peril.”

“A Diamond is Forever” -De Beers“Diamonds are a girls best friend” -From the film ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’Little was known of Sierra Leone and how it connects to the diamonds we own … Over here, it’s a drug trade die from drugs. Over there, they die from what we buy from drugs. The diamonds, the chains, the bracelets, the charms. I thought my Jesus piece was so harmless ’til I seen a picture of a shortie armless."-Lyrics from "Diamonds from Sierra Leone" by Kanye West."Now who gives a damn About the ice on your hand If it's not too complex Tell me how many Africans died For the baguettes on your Rolex"-Ms Dynamite 'It Takes More' (Lyrics: N Mclain-Daley)

"Diamonds are a once in a lifetime purchase that people often choose as a token of love. I don’t believe people in Britain want this special gift to be related to the pain and suffering of others".-Tom Fyans, Amnesty International, 2006 A few years back I had the pleasure of visiting Antwerp, Belgium, a place many deem "the diamond capital of the world." Never before have I been in a location where I was surrounded by so much "bling".

I had the privilege of going to Sierra Leone after the war and participate in one of the war crimes trials there at the Special Court for Sierra Leone, created by the Sierra Leone government with the United Nations. My exposure to the civil war and only some of the events of this movie (Blood Diamonds) were based on reading books, hundreds of witness statements, online material about the war, including the Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Report, and listening to over 100 witnesses testify, and my trial was not even those of the RUF and AFRC. The movie‘s accounts of atrocities are shockingly real. Tens of thousands had hands amputated, people were indiscriminately murdered, women raped or forced to marry, villages were burned, and children were kidnapped and forced to fight the war for both of the rebel factions (RUF and AFRC). Making a child a soldier is a war crime, and this movie artfully shows you why, without saying a word about it. - US Movie reviewer

DIAMONDS: A POEM FROM SIERRA LEONE

Hard sparkling, precious beauty wondrous beyond imagination then say you belong to the devils, and that you brought wealth but woe unto me and my land. How many magnificent cities have you built? look how my land bleeds, for your sake unhealed wounds, with greedy knives twisting into it everyday creating new cuts must I laugh, must I cry for you? See how my people are cheated, and humiliated everyday for your sake listen! A cry is heard a pit has caved-in killing many youths see the mourners, haggard and in rags carrying everlasting poverty in their pitiful eyes glisten stones, must I laugh, must I cry for you?

Hear! A heavy blast it is for the twinkling stones, the earth shock houses crack and crumble, there is a sudden cry yonder lies a woman with baby strap to her back and an old woman in a pool of blood smashed and crushed by flying rocks yet, we did not bemoan them innocent victims of corporate colonization and reckless exploitation Gem stones, must I laugh, must I cry for you?

Written by Saa Mathias Bendu, President of the Kono Students Union and a member of the ‘Campaign for Just Mining’ in Sierra Leone.

THE KIMBERLEY PROCESSWhat Is The Kimberley Process?

The Kimberley Process (KP) is a joint governments, industry and civil society initiative to restrict the trade of conflict diamonds – rough diamonds used by rebel groups to finance wars against legitimate governments. The trade in these illicit stones has fuelled decades of devastating conflicts in countries such as Angola, Cote d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sierra Leone. The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) imposes extensive requirements on its members to enable them to certify shipments of rough diamonds as ‘conflict-free’. In December 2009, the Kimberley Process had 49 members, representing 75 countries, with the European Community counting as an individual participant.

How Does the Kimberley Process Work?Participating governments must ensure that all rough diamond are imported/exported in a secure container and are accompanied by a government validated certificate which states that the diamonds are conflict free. The certificates must be uniquely numbered to ensure authenticity. Rough diamonds can only be traded between participant countries. Participant countries, working groups, and observers, including members of the diamond industry and NGOs, meet annually to discuss and evaluate the effectiveness of the Kimberley Process.

Are There Weaknesses In The Kimberley Process?That conflict diamonds are currently funding escalating violence in Cote D’Ivoire. The Cote D’Ivoire was a participant of the Kimberley Process and this shows that there are serious weaknesses in the system. Many diamond producing countries have recently been involved in large scale conflict, and have weak government controls over diamonds, allowing conflict diamonds to be certified as conflict free. Conflict diamonds are also entering the US due to weaknesses in the implementation of the Clean Diamond Trade Act. The diamond industry is clearly failing to police itself effectively.

How Can The Kimberley Process Be Improved?Global Witness, the non-profit organization who first published reports about the connection between diamonds and conflicts have made a number of recommendations. They recommend that participants strengthen government controls, increase government oversight of the diamond

industry, publish rough diamond statistics to increase industry transparency, and properly finance the certification scheme.

WHAT ARE THE FACTS ABOUT DIAMONDS?The Ancient Greeks thought that diamonds were splinters of stars fallen to earth.Diamonds are the crystalline form of carbon. They're created in molten rock, 75 to 120 miles below the earth's surface and then transported to the surface in volcanic eruptions. In order to remain a diamond and not turn into graphite or carbon dioxide, the diamond crystals must cool both near the surface and quickly. The most recent "kimberlite" volcano eruption was approximately 53 million years ago. Kimberlite pipes form when kimberlite magma, a mixture of rock material is pushed to the surface. Its important components include fragments of rock, large crystals, and crystallized magma that acts as glue for the mixture. It rises through the Earth's crust in a network of cracks that become kimberlite pipes. According to the San Diego Natural History Museum, most diamonds are over three billion years old, two-thirds the age of the Earth. Younger diamonds are only 100 million years old. De Beers is the major company which extracts from the diamond rich Kimberley pipe.Rough diamonds are diamonds found before they get cut and polished for sale. Rough diamonds can either be found below the earth’s surface through industrial mining, or in river beds and streams through alluvial mining. Most of the diamond deposits currently mined in places such as Sierra Leone and Angola are alluvial, requiring only a shovel, a pan, and hard labor to mine. The value of a diamond is usually measured by what is known as the “four C’s”. Colour, Clarity, Carat weight and Cut. Today the world would benefit from an additional C. Conflict-free In a De Beers mine, on average, 250 tons of ore would need to be excavated to find one stone that would be big enough to polish a one-carat diamond. India is where 90% of the worlds diamonds are cut and polished for the market When cut and polished, diamonds gain 40% of their value and lose up to half their weight. 8 out of 10 of the world's rough diamonds—about 125 million carats a year—pass through Antwerp's Diamond Centre. Once polished the diamonds are then sold through one of 24 diamond exchanges and enter the markets Diamonds are mined in about 25 countries and on every continent except Europe and Antarctica. It is thought that Antarctica may be a rich source of diamonds but international accords prohibiting mining in Antarctica. Major diamond trading centres are located in Antwerp, Tel Aviv, Bombay, London and Russia. Currently producing countries include Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, Angola, Sierra Leone, Congo, Australia, Canada, and Russia. There is only one diamond mine located in the United States—in Arkansas.

Americans buy approximately fifty percent of the world's diamond jewellery (Americans spent over 11 billion pounds on diamonds in 2001).

THE COUNTRIES WHICH MEET REQUIREMENTS OF THE KIMBERLEY PROCESS CERTIFICATION SCHEME

Angola

Armenia

Australia

Bangladesh

Belarus

Botswana

Brazil

Canada

Central African Republic

China , People's Republic of

Chinese Taipei

Congo , Democratic Republic of

Côte d’Ivoire **

Croatia

European Community

Ghana

Guinea

Guyana

India

Indonesia

Israel

Japan

Korea , Republic of

Lao, Democratic Republic of

Lebanon

Lesotho

Liberia

Malaysia

Mauritius

Mexico

Namibia

New Zealand

Norway

Republic of Congo

Russian Federation Sierra Leone

Singapore South Africa

Sri Lanka

Switzerland

Tanzania

Thailand

Togo

Turkey

Ukraine

United Arab Emirates

United States of America

Venezuela *

Vietnam

Zimbabwe

* Venezuela has voluntarily suspended exports & imports of rough diamonds until further notice.

** Cote d' Ivoire is currently under UN sanctions and is not trading in rough diamonds.

Liberia Ex President Taylor's Life of Crime Name: Charles Ghankay Taylor Nationality: LiberianProsecuted by: Special Court for Sierra LeoneCharges: 11 counts of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other serious violations of international humanitarian lawPlea: Not GuiltyIndicted: June 4, 2003Trial Started: January 6, 2008Defense Case Start: July 13, 2009Place of Trial: The Hague, The Netherlands Who is Charles Taylor? From 1989 to 1997, Charles Taylor was leader of the National Patriotic

Front of Liberia (NPFL), a rebel group that fought in Liberia to overthrow the government. From 1997 to 2003, Taylor was the democratic president of Liberia. In August 2003, based on an agreement with African Heads of State, Taylor left office after rebel forces had come close to entering the Liberian capital, Monrovia. He was granted political asylum in Nigeria. In March 2006, Taylor was transferred to the custody of the Special Court for Sierra Leone where he now faces trial.

Who is trying Charles Taylor? The Special Court for Sierra Leone is trying Charles Taylor. Although the trial is being held in The Hague (the International Criminal Court (ICC), Mr. Taylor is still being tried by the Special Court for Sierra Leone.

How and why was the Special Court for Sierra Leone established? The Special Court for Sierra Leone was established on January 16, 2002. It was established to try “those who bear the greatest responsibility” for war crimes, crimes against humanity, other serious violations of international humanitarian law and Sierra Leonean law committed in the territory of Sierra Leone since November 30, 1996.

Why is Charles Taylor being prosecuted and what crimes is he charged with? Charles Taylor is charged with 11 counts of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other serious violations of international humanitarian law committed in Sierra Leone from November 30, 1996, to January 18, 2002. Mr. Taylor is charged on the basis that he allegedly backed Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels fighting in Sierra Leone and that he was responsible for Liberian forces fighting in support of the Sierra Leonean rebels.

The specific counts against Mr. Taylor are:Five counts of war crimes: terrorizing civilians, murder, outrages on personal dignity, cruel treatment, and looting;Five counts of crimes against humanity: murder, rape, sexual slavery, mutilating and beating, and enslavement; andOne count of other serious violations of international humanitarian law: recruiting and using child soldiers.

The Prosecutor alleges that Mr. Taylor bears individual criminal responsibility for the crimes on the basis that he allegedly took part in the crimes by planning, instigating, and ordering them; aiding and abetting them by providing military training and support to the RUF; and taking part in the execution of a plan to take control of Sierra Leone during which the crimes were committed.

If Charles Taylor is found guilty, what kind of sentence will the court issue? He will be sentenced to imprisonment for a specified number of years he will serve his sentence in the United Kingdom. He could be made to forfeit any property, proceeds and any assets acquired unlawfully, and return to their rightful owner or to the State of Sierra Leone.” If Charles Taylor is found innocent of the charges? If Mr. Taylor is found not guilty of the charges against him, he will be allowed to walk out of the

court as a free man. No other judicial body will have the power to put him on trial for the crimes for which he has already been prosecuted.

Mr. Taylor has pleaded not guilty to these charges.

Terrorizing the Civilian Population : Count 1: Acts of terrorism: To terrorize the civilian population of Sierra Leone: Widespread destruction of civilian property, including burning. (War Crime)

Unlawful Killings : Count 2: Murder (Crime Against Humanity) Count3: Violence to life, health, and physical or mental well-being of persons, in particular murder. (War Crime)

Sexual Violence Count 4: Rape. (Crime Against Humanity) Count 5: Sexual Slavery. (Crime Against Humanity) Count 6: Outrages upon personal dignity. (War Crime)

Physical Violence Count 7: Violence to life, health and physical or mental well-being of persons in particular cruel treatment. (War Crime) Count 8: Other inhumane acts, i.e. widespread acts of physical violence against civilians. (Crime Against Humanity)

Child Soldiers Count 9: Conscripting and enlisting children under age 15. (Other Serious Violation of International Humanitarian Law) Count 10: Enslavement. I.e., abductions and use of civilians as forced labour. (Crime Against Humanity)

Looting Count 11: Pillage. I.e. Taking of civilian property. (War Crime)

In the headlines……….

Naomi Campbell is refusing to testify at the war crimes trial of former Liberian strongman Charles Taylor about a huge, uncut "blood diamond" he allegedly gave her in 1997 in South Africa.

Did Naomi Campbell Get a 'Blood Diamond'From a Corrupt African Dictator?

War Crimes Prosecutors Say Liberian Despot Charles Taylor Tried to Charm the Supermodel with a DiamondNaomi Campbell - who is well known for her fiery outbursts - refused to answer questions about the alleged gift from former Liberian leader Charles Taylor."I didn't receive a diamond and I'm not going to speak about that," she said.She ended the ABC News interview in sarcastic mood by saying: "Thank you so much, goodbye."She then stood up and punched the camera before leaving the studio.

The Warlord, On Trial In The HagueWar crimes prosecutors want to subpoena supermodel Naomi Campbell to testify over a so-called blood diamond she allegedly received from Liberia's ex-president Charles Taylor, said filed court papers. Campbell's testimony is necessary as there is evidence that Ms Campbell was given rough diamonds by the accused (Taylor) in September 1997," said a prosecution application filed with the Special Court for Sierra Leone.It also sought permission to call actress Mia Farrow and Campbell's then agent Carole White to the stand -- both of whom it said were willing, unlike the supermodel, to testify about the gift allegedly made late at night after a dinner hosted by South African ex-president Nelson Mandela at home."Ms White heard Mr Taylor say he was going to give Ms Campbell diamonds and was present when the diamonds were delivered," states the prosecution document, a copy of which was obtained by AFP."Ms Farrow was present at the reception where the accused met Ms Campbell and was told by Ms Campbell the next morning about the gift." Taylor's war crimes trial heard claims in January 2010 that he had given Campbell a "large" diamond after the dinner.The diamond was among those Taylor had obtained from Sierra Leone rebels and took to South Africa "to sell... or exchange them from weapons," prosecutor Brenda Hollis said in cross-examining Taylor.

Taylor's war crimes trial heard claims in January that he had given Campbell a "large" diamond after the dinner.