- An estimated 5 million people have access to appropriate healthcare globally thanks to revenues from diamonds.
- Conflict diamonds have been reduced from approximately 4% to considerably less than 1% since the implementation of the Kimberley Process in 2003.
- An estimated 10 million people globally are directly or indirectly supported by the diamond industry
- The diamond mining industry generates over 40% of Namibia’s annual export earnings
- Diamond revenues enable every child in Botswana to receive free education up to the age of 13.
- In July 2000, the global diamond industry announced its zero-tolerance policy towards conflict diamonds and continues to drive this policy.
- Sierra Leone is now at peace and exported approximately $142 million diamonds in 2005
- Approximately one million people are employed by the diamond industry in India.
- Approximately $8.4 billion worth of diamonds a year come from African countries.
- More than 99% of diamonds are now from conflict free sources and traded under the UN-mandated Kimberley Process.
- The Diamond Development Initiative was established to improve the working conditions of artisanal miners.
- The revenue from diamonds is instrumental in the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
- Under the Kimberley Process, rough diamonds can only be exported and imported when accompanied by a certificate from the exporting country.
- The charity Jewelers for Children funds a community based care program for orphaned children in South Africa.
- An estimated 65% of the world’s diamonds come from African countries.
- Today, 71 governments and the legitimate diamond industry are all committed and legally bound to eradicating conflict diamonds.
- The diamond industry has introduced a system to help give greater assurances to retailers and to provide consumers with the reassurance that their diamond is from a conflict free source.
- Diamonds account for 33% of the GDP (approximately $3 billion) of Botswana. Since diamonds were discovered in Botswana, GDP annual growth rate has averaged 7%.
- Major world leaders – including Nelson Mandela – have cited the importance of diamonds to the lives of African people.
- It is estimated that one million people work in the informal (astisanal) alluvial diamond digging sector.
- Some diamond producing countries are not Kimberley Process compliant.
- In November, 2006, 71 Governments, leading NGOs, and the World Diamond Council agreed on measures to further strengthen the Kimberley Process.
- At the 2006 Kimberley Process Plenary, the industry committed funds and resources to address challenges faced by countries with a high prevalence of artisanal alluvial mining.
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