Mining companies have discovered diamonds in Mozambique, specifically in Massagena district, Gaza province, the National Director of Mines, Elias Daúde, told Mozambican daily newspaper Notícias.

Daúde also told the newspaper that eight of the 11 Mozambican provinces have evidence of the existence of diamonds, especially in the Save Valley and added “Mozambique is a country rich in almost all types of mineral resources, including diamonds.”

The National Director of Mines did not say how many companies were involved in diamond research in Mozambique, but Noticias cited 2011 data showing that at the time there were 40 licenses issued to 27 holders of mining rights, including 21 companies and six individuals.

Daúde said that a committee of the Kimberley Process, an international certification body of the origin of diamonds to prevent the sale of so-called “blood diamonds”, is due to visit Mozambique in September to assess the country’s compliance with requirements for admission to the organisation.

In order to join the Kimberley Process, an issue to which the Government of Mozambique is committed, according to Daúde a set of legal instruments has been approved that will enter into force on 20 November. (macauhub/MZ)