Making the most out of Zimbabwe's Marange diamonds: Leaving a lasting postive legacy for distressed communities

This paper identifies several constraints to deriving maximum value from the exploitation of the Marange diamonds for the benefit of all Zimbabwean citizens, especially the distressed communities within the Marange mining district. This paper explains how a political environment characterised by corruption and patronage leads to complications in proper mine closure planning and severe damage to the environment. Compelling achievements that are necessary for proper closure planning, envisaged for mining operations in an enabling, free and fair political envirionment, are not achievable when mining is done in the opposite political environment. These include redistribution of proceeds from mineral wealth to ensure the establishment of health facilities, including efficient hospitals, clinics, and sewer systems; promotion of education and investment; provision of reliable water supplies, energy, and a sound transportation infrastructure; creation of sports facilities to facilitate growth of sportsmanship; and extension of employment opportunities at all levels in LSM operations to communities in which they operate. This lack of redistribution of proceeds from mining presents several issues that engatively impact mining communities after closure. The author proposes several strategies to overcome the constraints for the benefit of all.