- The Mozambican government will no longer allow the export of gems, precious and semi-precious stones produced in the country without a certificate of origin.
- The objective of the ban is to bring transparency, prevent the financing of illicit activities and generate more revenue for the economy of the country and its people.
The Mozambican government will no longer allow the export of gems, precious and semi-precious stones produced in the country without a certificate of origin. The objective of the ban is to bring transparency, prevent the financing of illicit activities and generate more revenue for the economy of the country and its people.
The Mozambican government will no longer allow the export of gems, precious and semi-precious stones produced in the country without a certificate of origin. The objective of the ban is to bring transparency, prevent the financing of illicit activities and generate more revenue for the economy of the country and its people. There have been reports that the money generated in the precious stone trade has been used for money laundering and terrorism.
Mozambique’s minister of mineral resources and energy, Max Tonela, launched the certificate of origin in the city of Chimoio, capital of central Manica province, one of the richest in mineral resources. The Certification process will be carried out by the Kimberley Process Management Unit (UGPK), an entity under the Mozambican Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy involving specialised technicians from Mineral Resources, the Tax Authority and the Police.
The executive secretary of the UGPK, Castro Elias, reported that they were trying for the inclusion of Mozambique into the so-called “Kimberley Process,” an international mechanism that controls the management of certification of the origin and the legality of diamonds. Once accepted in the Kimberley Process, Mozambique will be able to start the diamond certification process. The Kimberley Process he said would be a deciding factor in attracting investors to prospect and research this mineral.
