Zimbabwe’s plan to increase diamond output from 2.8 million carats in 2018 to 4.1 million carats this year has been negatively impacted by Cyclone Idai which struck the country in March, as well as periodic power stoppages, fuel shortages and other factors, Dr Moris Mpofu, CEO Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) has said, according to recent reports in the local media.

Stating that the firm will miss its first quarter production target, Dr Mpofu reportedly indicated that two of ZCDC’s currently operational projects – Chiadzwa and Chimanimani – have been flooded and work in the open pits was suspended. He was quoted as saying that the company is "regrouping to recover from the aftermath of Cyclone Idai and put its production back on course".

Media reports indicate that ZCDC is now in the “process of de-watering and re-mapping the pits before mining can commence”. While operations at Chiadzwa could resume very soon, the reports said, resumption of work at Chimanimani may only be possible by end of May 2019. In the latter area, in addition to the flooding, the Cyclone also destroyed the road network that provided access to the mining areas as well as caused minor damage to the plant in Chimanimani Portal E.

Dr Mpofu was quoted as saying that the disruption caused by the cyclone will be in addition to the production disruptions caused by fuel shortages and load shedding. He is reported to have said that ZCDC is making “frantic efforts to ensure that production against the targeted schedule resumes at the earliest possible time".

The reports state that the company is already seeking to have a dedicated industrial line for uninterrupted power supply from the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC). It has also recently issued tenders for a feasibility study related to possible installation of a solar power system with capacity to supply all the power needs of the company.