Green Diamonds

Diamonds & Natives

Diamond Industry and Natives

If you thought that diamonds were a rich man’s best friend, then think again. Diamonds not only a delight the wearer but are the lifeline support for many communities across the world. Between the geologists and explorers who look for diamond mines and the high end showrooms that store diamonds, there are millions of natives in between who live off the diamond industry. Here is a glimpse into these diverse communities and how diamonds have brought in their negative and positive influences.

Diamonds and the various communities

With diamond mining emerging as a growing industry, and diamonds growing in popularity and produce all over the world, many native communities are affected by the mining and trade of diamonds.

While diamonds are mined in Africa, people from many countries like Israel and India, actively participate in the sorting of diamonds and finally their cut and polish. Besides these two nations, there are many others like Thailand, China, Mauritius, Bulgaria, Canada, Russia, Australia and America where the diamond industry plays a major role.

Statistics reveal that most of the diamonds in the world are mined from Africa. Classified as the richest source for mining diamonds, approximately 65% of the world’s diamonds come from here. Its nations collectively generate over $8 billion worth of diamonds.

Natives of various African countries, like Botswana (which produces the largest number of diamonds), Angola, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Namibia, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe and South Africa participate in mining. In other nations too, millions are employed in the industry. The industry influences people in diverse ways, good and bad.

The negative effects of mining diamonds

Mining has its negative effects on native populace and their environment

In some countries natives are employed as diamond diggers and they work in difficult and dangerous situations. They lead lives of poverty and child mortality rates have been noted to be high. Education levels are also less in most of these parts. Finally, some natives have been displaced due to the diamond mining efforts.
The trade of conflict diamonds, though reduced to less than 2% today, still takes place. These funds support unjust activities and indirectly continue to effect communities.
Mining pollutes the soil, water and air in the regions. Though responsible organizations have taken upon themselves to restore and recycle to the best of abilities, pollution does take place as ecosystems of the various nations are affected.

How diamonds benefit the communities

Nowadays natives benefit from the trade of diamonds. Responsible organizations in the diamond industry are now taking measures to address problems of communities and provide solutions. The benefits of diamond mining for communities can thus be understood further below.

Statistics reveal that approximately 5 million people globally have access to proper healthcare, only because of revenues from diamonds. The revenues are also used to fight the deadly diseases of HIV/AIDS across the world.
Over ten million people are directly or indirectly supported by the diamond industry. In Namibia, this industry is a large scale employer and it alone generates approximately 40% of the annual export earnings in the nation. The industry generates many employment opportunities for natives in these countries and in India itself, approximately one million people are a part of the diamond industry.
Initiatives like the Diamond Development Initiative and Charity organizations have also been established to help improve the working conditions of artisans and standard of lives for needy children. The DDI in itself has taken various initiatives in uplifting the conditions of artisans, providing them proper education, tools, techniques and healthcare facilities.
The earnings from the industry have also helped various war affected nations to bring back a greater degree of economic stability into their nation. For example, war affected nations like Sierra Leone could stabilize their economies through diamond exports.
Education opportunities are offered to many, only due to this industry. Every child in Botswana has access to free education up to the age of 13.

Diamonds have changed the lives of natives in many ways. Had it not been for diamond mining industries, many natives would have had to go hungry for lack of employment opportunities. However, the diamond mining industry brought with it many jobs and countless opportunities.

While the opportunities have been good for natives, they have also lost some in the process. Their environment is ecologically unbalanced and many continue to work in dangerous conditions.

Gemisimo.com thus feels it vital that customers must understand that promoting responsible mining organizations helps promote more responsibility in the industry and helps take care of the natives and their needs across the world.