South African industrialist Abbey Chikane, who has been appointed under the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme to monitor mining and sale of diamonds in Zimbabwe, is expected to arrive here Monday, says Mines and Mining Development Minister Obert Mpofu.

Confirming Chikane?s visit, although he declined to give furtherdetails, the minister said here Sunday: “It is true and we are expecting the Kimberley Monitor tomorrow (Monday).” .

Zimbabwe accepted the appointment of Chikane in place of a European who the Kimberley Process had initially recommended.

The Zimbabwe government agreed on a Joint Work Plan with the KPCS to ensure that the mining and sale of diamonds complied with international standards.

Chikane is expected to work closely with the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development. He will produce quarterly reports on progress made towards implementation of the Joint Work Plan.

Chikane, former KPCS chairman and current head of the South African Diamond Board, will also conduct Kimberley Process certification of the diamonds under the supervised export mechanism.

His visit is expected to expedite progress towards the sale of diamonds in line with KPCS standards

By Staff reporter and agencies