Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Umaru Napoleon Koroma has vehemently denounced the practice of mining and exportation of diamonds from diamond-rich African countries without adding value to bring increased revenue to these countries.

Mr Koroma who was a Guest Speaker at the Intra-Africa Dialogue on Rough Diamonds Beneficiation and Value Addition at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe said it was high time the continent rejected what he described as “the outdated practice of dig and ship” of our precious diamonds, reiterating that mineral-rich nations have lagged as a result of their inability to fully harness their mineral potentials.

Umaru Napoleon Koroma who has now become a well-known advocate against foreign exploitation of Africa’s natural resources said only a small number of countries like South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Angola have been able to add value to their rough diamonds and this has had a significant impact on the economies.

To this end, the Deputy Minister believes nations must prioritize the establishment of local diamond beneficiation industries if they were to have a competitive advantage in global markets.

Consequently, he posited that the adoption of cutting-edge technologies will be central to achieving this goal. “*It is of utmost importance that beneficiation and value-addition processes within the diamond value chain take place within the respective countries to maximize economic contribution” he stressed.

Mr Koroma also re-emphasised the need for new laws and policy frameworks that would reflect the will of citizens and expressed the hope that issues discussed at the event are translated into tangible outcomes for the benefit of citizens in member countries.

Sierra Leone currently holds the position of Vice Chair of the African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA).