Traceability in the artisanal diamond production of the DRC.

The Minister of Mines, Antoinette N’Samba KALAMBAYI was expected for a working session in Antwerp, Belgium last week Tuesday, October 19, 2021.

At the invitation of the Antwerp diamond sector and the Antwerp World Diamond Center (AWDC), Her Excellency Antoinette N’SAMBA KALAMBAYI arrives in Belgium this Tuesday. The patron saint of mines will take a guided tour of the facilities of the Antwerp diamond sector.

During his stay,

The Minister will discuss with the managers of the firm AWDC on their “firm to market” model which consists in establishing the chain of custody in the artisanal production of diamonds in the DRC, estimated at 70% of the world artisanal diamond production.

According to Arl Epstein, Chief Executive Officer, over the years his government has enjoyed very constructive cooperation with the Congolese government. The visit of the number 1 of the mines is part of the perspective of that carried out by the Congolese Head of State Felix-Antoine TSHISEKEDI in 2019 at AWDC.

The firm Antwerp World Diamond Center is an official umbrella organization of the Belgian diamond sector representing the common interest of all companies active in the diamond sector including the 1600 officially registered diamond dealers, polishers and diamond laboratories but also suppliers of specialized services such as banks, insurers and cash carriers

In the city of Antwerp, the diamond sector directly employs 6,500 people and 26,000 other indirect jobs related to this sector.

Belgium remains the most important diamond trading center in the world.

Considered the nerve center of the world diamond trade, the city of Antwerp in Belgium, in 2020, in the midst of the covid-19 crisis, saw its imports and exports of diamonds reach 25 billion US dollars, or 86% of diamonds. crudes existing in the world. 

More than half of polished diamonds in the world pass through Antwerp, he concluded. the CTCPM, and the geographic institute.