Anjin denies smuggling diamonds to China

Source: Anjin denies smuggling diamonds to China | The Herald May 18, 2016

Diamond mining company, Anjin investments has denied smuggling diamonds worth $200 million to China saying the group only legally exported $112 million worth of the mineral. Addressing journalists yesterday, Anjin board member Munyaradzi Machacha said the export of diamonds by the mining company was done above board and all supporting documents were in place for scrutiny.This follows private media reports that the company had spirited away 3,7 million carats of diamonds worth $200 million to the Chinese Shanghai financial hub.

“The company was recklessly accused of involvement in the smuggling of 3,7 million carats from Chiadzwa to China’s financial hub of Shanghai worth $200 million. As a matter of fact and for the record that export in question was done above board with all relevant supporting documentation required for the lawful export of the diamonds from Zimbabwe.

“The carats involved were not 3,7 million as earlier reported , but 3,37 million and $112 million was realised from the sale, well below the figure of $200 million. What is important is that it was an ordinary export that met all requirements including the remittances to Government of all taxes and fees from the sale proceeds,” said Mr Machacha.

Mr Machacha said Anjin investments has nothing to hide and all requirements for diamond exports are available for inspection by relevant stakeholders.

“All documentation showing compliance with all requirements for diamond exports are available for inspection by the relevant stakeholders. We also draw your attention to the fact that sold diamonds end up in various markets and destinations across the globe.

“As Anjin we have no control over what the buyers decide to do with the purchased diamonds and we therefore got nothing to do with the placement of diamonds on the Shanghai financial services hub by the customer whether real or fictional,” he said.

Mr Machacha said the tendering process and valuation of diamonds had the full involvement of the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development through the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe as per the norm and practice in the industry.

He said the export permits of the 3,37 million carats were duly signed by the then Minister of State Security Sydney Sekeramayi in his capacity as Acting Minister of Mines and Mining Development after all the requirements for authorisation of the diamond exports relevant state agencies had been met.

Anjin was a victim of Government’s directive for diamond mining companies to shut down operations following its refusal to form part of a consolidated mining entity.

Government sought to bring all diamond mining operations in the country under one firm in which it would hold a 50 percent shareholding after accusing the miners of failing to account for revenue from their operations.

The new Diamond Consolidated Mining Company has since started operations.

“All documentation showing compliance with all requirements for diamond exports are available for inspection by the relevant stakeholders. We also draw your attention to the fact that sold diamonds end up in various markets and destinations across the globe.