THE Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (Pvt) Ltd (ZCDC) has invested in a robust Security system to minimise pilferage and illegal mining activities at its Chiadzwa concession, an official said at a media workshop organised by the state-owned mining firm in Manicaland this week.

The ZCDC, the seven-largest diamond producer in the world, organised a media workshop and a tour of Chiadzwa mine on 18-19 October under the theme: “Equipping the media to achieve informative and responsible diamond mining reporting”.  

Presenting on product safety, chief security officer Elias Mvere said the safety of the product is determined by the robustness of the security system that is implemented to protect diamonds from theft.

“The ZCDC security system is robust and is based on three pillars (physical, technological and psychological) aimed at achieving world-class security standards in protecting the Marange diamond fields. It is integrated by carefully crafted processes designed to ensure 100% product security,” said Mvere.

“On the physical side, we are double fencing,” he said. “On the technological side, we have the four-tier surveillance system and related to that is the drone surveillance system implemented by our fully certified drone pilots who conduct constant surveillance over the entire diamond fields and footage is seen in real time. On the psychological side, we are rigorously training our members on artificial intelligence, all in the spirit of securing our product”.

He said the diamond company engaged expert drone pilots from South Africa under a programme dubbed: Remote Piloted Aircraft System, specifically for security surveillance.

“Our drones were also examined by Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (Caaz) and an Operational Area Survey was conducted. The drones are very effective. We also use them in crime awareness under our moral suasion pillar”.

Diamond security is governed by the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) requirements.

The Kimberley Process is an international certification scheme that regulates trade in rough diamonds. According to Mvere, the ZCDC has 100 % compliance to KPCS security standards.

Zimbabwe is the current chair of the KPCS and will be hosting the plenary session in Victoria Falls, from 5-11 November.-STAFF WRITER