Artisanal diamond miners mine diamonds using hands tools such as shovels, diggers, and hoes.
The event focused on the need for these miners to register their diamonds through the regional diamond office (RDO) in the county and stressed the need for miners to legitimize their mining activities by obtaining licenses from the Ministry. It coincided with the official opening of PRADD’s offices in Weasua.
The establishment of RDOs in mining communities is a part of the government’s internal control of the production and sale of diamonds in the country as required by the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), a process PRADD is leading its public awareness campaign to promote.
According to diamond experts, registration of diamonds by miners attracts benefits for both the miners and the government.
A source at the Ministry of Mines in Liberia told our reporter that the government is very keen on upholding and enhancing its KPCS compliance thus working along with PRADD, an international organization supported by the United States Government, to promote transparency in Liberia’s diamond sector, and ensure that all diamonds mined in the country are accounted for.
The public awareness campaign in Gbarpolu County brought together over a thousand stakeholders, including chiefs, medical teams, and other county officials as well as a representative from the Superintendent’s office. They came from three mining communities in the county namely: Balla-Bassa, Kerwulleh-Ta, and Weasua.
In brief remarks, PRADD’s chief of party, Bocar Thiam, said his organization, through the Ministry of Mines, has advanced policy recommendations to the government aimed at improving the lives of miners and mining communities.
Mr. Thiam also informed miners that his organization will continue to carry out a number of activities that would educate miners on best mining practices, conduct alternative livelihood training, carry out smarter mining and land reclamation activities, and conduct conflict mitigation training, as well as improve communication by installing high frequency radios at RDOs.
According to Mr. Thiam, PRADD’s mission is to ensure that Liberia complies with the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) and increase the sale of the country’s diamonds through the formal chain of custody.
PRADD, Thiam said, does this by creating public awareness for miners, educating them (miners) across the country about the Kimberly processes and encouraging them to register their diamonds through the RDO as well as obtain their mining licenses.
In special remarks, Gbarpolu County Inspector, Mr. Sylvester Gbappy, noted that “if only PRADD had been in Liberia much earlier, the quality of life for miners and mining communities would have been far [more] developed.”
Mr. Gbappy, who represented the Superintendent of the county at the program, thanked God for PRADD’s public awareness initiative and encouraged miners to take advantage of the education and training being provided by the organization.
Also in remarks, the principal of the Weasua Elementary School pointed out that the day was a memorable one for him especially because of the drama performance portraying diamond registration at the RDO.
He said the education provided to artisanal miners is critical to improving their lives.
Speaking as an educator, he expressed his regret that being a former miner who wasn’t educated about the value and price of diamond long ago, he once sold a diamond for L$250.
This man, who did not divulge his name, however expressed appreciation for the education and encouraged miners to know the value of their diamonds before selling them.
Day one of the two-day public awareness commenced on Friday, February 17, 2012 with a parade of soccer and kickball teams along with PRADD staff and county officials. An indoor program was held on the second day, during which time miners and community dwellers were briefed about PRADD’s mission, objectives, and its relationship with the government of Liberia, as well as its role in strengthening the Kimberly Process Compliance in Liberia.
The soccer and kickball matches took place in the diamond-rich town of Weasua, where winners from both male and female categories, received trophies and other prizes.
