What do Diamonds For Peace do?
Diamonds For Peace was set up in 2014, founded by Chie Murakami, in Japan.
There aim is to improve the working conditions and social status of the workers in the diamond supply chain and to promote ethics and fairness in the diamond industry. They provide support to improve the working conditions and social status of artisanal diamond workers in developing countries, especially in Africa and raise awareness of the issues in the diamond industry.
The Trip to Liberia
The long-awaited visit to the Diamonds For Peace (DFP) communities has finally arrived.
I traveled with fellow goldsmith Mara Bragaglia, landing in Monrovia during the rainy season. We were warmly welcomed by Chie, the visionary founder of DFP, at our guest house. After settling in, we prepared for our journey.
The next morning, our driver, Marvin, and Winston, a dedicated DFP employee, picked us up. Together, we set off on a four-hour drive to Gbarma. There, a three-day workshop awaited the leaders of the Gbarma, Weasua, and Camp Alpha cooperatives.
Workshops and meeting the diamond miners
The workshop focused exclusively on cooperative leaders, equipping them with essential skills and knowledge to share with their members when they return home. During the first two days, we explored key topics such as “Mindset,” “Business Plan,” and “Record-Keeping.” These competencies are vital for establishing and managing successful cooperatives.
Gbarma faces unique challenges as it navigates the strict regulations set by the newly elected Liberian president and government to achieve cooperative status.
Beekeeping Workshop
On the third day, we shifted our focus to beekeeping. Victoria, a miner from Weasua with extensive beekeeping knowledge, teamed up with Moses, another expert, to conduct an engaging workshop. They guided the cooperative leaders and select Gbarma miners through the basics of beekeeping, including the hierarchy of a beehive, maintenance techniques, and how to identify natural enemies.
In the afternoon, the leaders learned to construct hives using locally sourced wood. By the end of the practical session, we had installed eleven beehives in Gbarma, marking the exciting start of their beekeeping venture.
Beekeeping and Fish Elevation
Beekeeping offers a sustainable way for miners to support themselves while generating a second income to lift them out of poverty. The basic materials needed for beekeeping are relatively low-cost. They can use wood from the surrounding forests, requiring just two gables, two side panels, a base, and top bars. Best of all, the bees are free! The miners simply need to attract them to the hives, allowing them to begin building honeycombs and producing honey.
In addition to beekeeping, the cooperative also constructs and manages fish ponds. On the outskirts of Weasua village, we discovered three ponds dedicated to fish farming. Fish is a staple in the Liberian diet, and the miners can sell their catch at local markets.
Both beekeeping and fish farming are essential for empowering the miners and improving their livelihoods.
About Diamond Mining at Weasua
During our visit to Weasua, we toured our first mine, graciously opened to us by an independent miner. Although not led by Diamonds For Peace (DFP), this dual-purpose mine for gold and diamonds provided valuable insights.
Miners are legally required to hold separate licenses for gold and diamonds. However, many do not, resulting in one being mined legally while the other is not. Most miners working with DFP are currently informal (illegal) miners. Some may have had a diamond license at one point but are too poor to renew it.
On a positive note, Victoria obtained a legitimate diamond mining license in August 2023. Another miner, Mariama, is also in the process of getting hers. This is exciting news for the future!
DFP has partnered with the Weasua cooperative for five years. This community was the first DFP worked with and has been receptive to their criteria, especially regarding women miners. In many communities, women are still not allowed to mine. (read my article on Superstition: an uphill battle for Diamonds For Peace)
Pushing for change for the diamond miners
Diamonds For Peace (DFP) is advocating for changes that would allow miners to sell rubies and quartz found in diamond mines. This could help diversify and enhance their income streams.
However, the process is slow. DFP does not engage in bribery, which means their requests and negotiations with officials take significantly longer.
Visiting Camp Alpha
Our final destination was Camp Alpha.
Last year, Diamonds For Peace (DFP) hosted a diamond prospecting workshop with an expert from the US. The workshop taught cooperative members in Camp Alpha scientific and responsible prospecting techniques.
Despite initial enthusiasm, many miners often revert to traditional methods, turning prospecting directly into mining. The workshop emphasized responsible prospecting by encouraging miners to keep initial test holes small and shallow. This approach conserves resources and makes refilling easier if no diamondiferous gravel is found.
Unfortunately, during our visit to three sites, we found that miners had already started mining instead of prospecting. They lack confidence in the scientific theory of prospecting. Gaining their trust will take time, and often, seeing proof is key to building that confidence.
My thoughts about meeting the diamond miners
I left Monrovia feeling a renewed sense of hope. Meeting Victoria and Mariama was truly inspiring. Their eagerness to learn and progress was palpable.
Victoria stands out as a beacon of motivation for her fellow miners. With over 50 beehives under her care and her diamond mining license, she exemplifies the success and potential that Diamonds For Peace (DFP) aims to cultivate within these communities.
Witnessing DFP’s unwavering dedication to empowering these communities is truly inspiring. They equip miners with the skills to recognize and value rough diamonds while promoting responsible mining practices. Their work represents a beacon of sustainable development and community empowerment.
