HOW DIAMONDS HELP THE PEOPLE OF AFRICA

"The diamond industry is vital to the Southern African economy"- Nelson Mandela
DiamondFacts.org

Fact #1: An estimated 5 million people have access to appropriate healthcare globally thanks to revenues from                           

               diamonds.

Fact #2: Conflict diamonds have been reduced from approximately 4% to considerably less than 1% since the 

                implementation of the Kimberley Process in 2003.

Fact #3: An estimated 10 million people globally are directly or indirectly supported by the diamond industry.

Fact #4: The diamond mining industry generates over 40% of Namibia's annual export earnings.

Fact #5: Diamond revenues enable every child in Botswana to receive free education up to the age of 13.

Fact #6: In July 2000, the global diamond industry announced its zero-tolerance policy towards conflict diamonds and

               continues to drive this policy.

Fact #7: Sierra Leone is now at peace and exported approximately $142 million diamonds in 2005.

Fact #8: Approximately one million people are employed by the diamond industry in India.

Fact #9: Approximately $8.4 billion worth of diamonds a year come from African countries.

Fact #10: More than 99% of diamonds are now from conflict free sources and traded under the UN-mandated

                 Kimberley Process.

Fact #11: The Diamond Development Initiative was established to improve the working conditions of artisanal miners.

Fact #12: The revenue from diamonds is instrumental in the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

Fact #13: Under the Kimberley Process, rough diamonds can only be exported and imported when accompanied by a

 

                 certificate from the exporting country.

Fact #14: The charity Jewelers for Children funds a community based care program for orphaned children in South

 

                  Africa.

Fact #15: An estimated 65% of the world's diamonds come from African countries.

Fact #16: Today, 71 governments and the legitimate diamond industry are all committed and legally bound to

                  eradicating conflict diamonds.

Fact #17: The diamond industry has introduced a system to help give greater assurances to retailers and to provide

                  consumers with the reassurance that their diamond is from a conflict free source.

Fact #18: Diamonds account for 33% of the GDP (approximately $3 billion) of Botswana. Since diamonds were

                  discovered in Botswana, GDP annual growth rate has averaged 7%.

Fact #19: Major world leaders - including Nelson Mandela - have cited the importance of diamonds to the lives of

                 African people.

Fact #20: It is estimated that one million people work in the informal (astisanal) alluvial diamond digging sector.

Fact #21: Some diamond producing countries are not Kimberley Process compliant.

Fact #22: In November, 2006, 71 Governments, leading NGOs, and the World Diamond Council agreed on measures

                  to further strengthen the Kimberley Process.

Fact #23: At the 2006 Kimberley Process Plenary, the industry committed funds and resources to address challenges

                  faced by countries with a high prevalence of artisanal alluvial mining.