As part of its vision to boost diamond and gemstone processing within the country, the government of Zimbabwe is working with various trade bodies to set up a modern Diamond and Gemmology Centre as well as a Gemmology Park in Mutare, according to reports in the local media.

The Mutare City Council has already identified a 55-acre stretch of land for the project and kickstarted the process by identifying the site for the centre within the larger special zone, the reports said.

In addition to the different ministries such as Mines & Mining Development, Industry & Commerce and Finance, other stakeholders in the project include the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (Pvt) Ltd (ZCDC), The School of Mines, Diamond Beneficiating Association of Zimbabwe (DBAZ), Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ), Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and Kenako Diamond Processing Company, it has been reported.

According to the media, the centre will be similar to the School of Mines in Bulawayo. Construction will take place in two phases, with the initial phase, at an estimated cost of $18 million, likely to begin in early 2018.

There will be four sections within the centre including the School of Gemology, that will focus on training, the Diamond Manufacturing and Lapidary section, with units for cutting and polishing diamonds and other gemstones, a Jewellery Blacksmith and Manufacturing section and a special area for Ancillary Services

The CEO of the School of Mines Mr Dzingirai Tusai reportedly said that Mutare has already been declared a special export processing zone for gemmology and the centre will deal with all precious minerals, including diamonds and other gemstones, and also focus on the different aspects of beneficiation and value addition in processing of rough diamonds and gemstones.

ZCDC chief executive officer Dr Moris Mpofu has also stated that the government has drawn up a plan to process at least 1.2 million carats of polished gem diamonds, with one thousand jobs created in downstream businesses that add value locally. He was quoted as saying that the centre and the special zone were being set up to enable establishment of businesses across the entire value chain.

The reports state that the concept layout and a master plan with designs for the gemstones centre will be finalised shortly.