Harare — Zimbabwe can continue mining diamonds under the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme after the 70-member international diamond trade body accepted that Zimbabwe was reforming its mining practices.

In an administrative decision announced after the plenary meeting that ended on Thursday in Swakopmund, Namibia, the KP accepted Zimba-bwe's presentations on efforts being made to comply with the recommendations.

The diamond trade body, in its decision, also agreed to give Zimbabwe time to reform its mining practices, while adopting a working plan proposed by the Government that includes calls for an independent inspector to monitor diamonds.

Some European countries, the US and non-governmental organisations lobbied strongly for the suspension of Zimbabwe, alleging human rights abuses at the Chiadzwa diamond fields in Marange.

The plenary meeting received reports on the Working Group on Monitoring, Working Group on Statistics and a report of the review mission to Zimbabwe that visited the country from June 30 to July 4 this year.

The plenary reviewed the responses by Zimbabwe to the review mission report including the presentations to plenary for implementing recommendations of the review mission.

Announcing the administrative decision, the plenary welcomed acknowledgement by Government that certain challenges had been experienced in complying with minimum standards.

The plenary also welcomed Zimbabwe's stated commitment to address urgently the issues identified in the reports.

"Plenary welcomes Zimbabwe's willingness to receive KP monitoring visits to assess progress in this regard (compliance) as well as receive follow-up review missions . . .

"Plenary stands ready to engage with Zimbabwe to address the issues identified in the abovementioned reports of the KP experts and, to this end, adopts the Joint Work Plan developed by Zimbabwe and the KP for implementing the recommendations of the 2009 Review Mission, for the purposes of working with Zimbabwe towards full compliance with the minimum standards of the KP.

"The Joint Work Plan is to be supported by technical assistance from participants and observers in the KP.

"In this regard, plenary also calls upon KP participants and observers to promote strengthened regional co-operation and outreach in support of the implementation of the Joint Work Plan.

"The plenary said the Inter-Seasonal and Plenary Sessions of the Kimberley Process in 2010 would review the implementation of the Joint Work Plan.

According to the statement, a KP monitor is to evaluate shipments of raw diamonds from the Marange area.

Shipments of rough diamonds from the Marange area require certification by the KP monitor prior to export.

The plenary also requested the Working Group on Monitoring to monitor ongoing progress in Zimbabwe's compliance with minimum standards of KP gives Zim green light on diamonds the KP and the implementation of measures contained in the Joint Work Plan.

The Working Group on Monitoring will also inform participants and observers through the chairman on developments.

Among the strategic issues identified in the Joint Working Plan to be implemented by Government, the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation and investors include curbing illegal digging in the fields and curbing leakages and smuggling.

This would include identifying resource areas, subdividing the area into manageable areas identifying and engaging of potential investors and small-scale miners.

Government will develop licensing and control systems, set up adequate security infrastructure, educate villagers on dangers of illegal mining, install modern processing equipment and install a physical security system at mining sites.

Zimbabwe will also develop a strategy for enhanced cross-border control including border patrol and training of enforcement personnel while developing a co-operation strategy with Mozambique to restrict smuggling.

Speaking from South Africa yesterday, Mines and Mining Development Minister Obert Mpofu hailed the decision made by the KP against a backdrop of heavy lobbying by outside forces.

"We were quite happy with the decision due to the pressure put by the NGOs, Western countries and some sections of the media for the ban, but we put up a good argument.

"We argued out very strongly and with the evidence we had, the plenary discovered that this had nothing to do with issues of compliance, but the usual rhetoric against us.

"The plenary also became aware of the agenda by our detractors to tarnish Zimbabwe's image. But we are a sovereign State with laws that guide mining operations," he said.

Minister Mpofu said Zimbabwe would have pulled out of the KP if the lobby against it had been successful.

"The KP is a voluntary organisation and we are not bound by anything. However, the latest developments mean we are now going to take this opportunity to exploit our resources."

He said Government was also encouraged that the plenary accepted the Joint Work Plan that would guide operations in Zimbabwe.

"The issue created so much attention because of the onslaught on Zimbabwe by the hostile media and it turned out to be a meeting on Zimbabwe.

"I would, however, want to thank our investors and Mr Newman Chiadzwa whose evidence showed the plenary that the issue was just an agenda to tarnish Zimbabwe's image."

Newman, who had been giving interviews to some NGOs, the KP team and international media alleging massive abuse of locals by the security forces, has since apologised to the nation and Head of State President Mugabe.

He is now working with the Government.