DRC Records Diamond Export Rise Following RoC Ban

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) recorded a 30 percent rise in diamond exports between July 10 to July 30, while an international ban on diamond exports in the neighboring Republic of Congo (RoC) is in effect.

“(DRC) Exports went from $60 million to $81 million,” said DRC’s Mines Minister Eugene Diomi Ndongala.

The Kimberley Process suspended the RoC from its membership on July 9 after finding the country was exporting diamonds at a rate approximately 100 times greater than its estimated production and official imports, a massive discrepancy RoC authorities were unable to account for.

On the same day as the RoC was suspended, the DRC said it would open offices in three diamond-producing areas to further encourage exports.

Diomi gave another reason for the increase in exports, saying it was due to diamonds mined in areas formerly controlled by rebel groups and now back in government hands, thus the gems are going through official channels.

Nonetheless, the Minister admitted that a large part of the country’s diamond production remains illicit, estimating it at around $450 million annually.