COLLECTING OF ILLEGAL DIAMONDS’ ACTIVITY ENDS
After the publication of Government Gazette on Precious Stones (Prevention of Illicit and Theft of Diamonds) Regulations, 2020, Ministry of Mining undertook the activity of collecting of diamonds that are possessed without legal documentation. Few districts were selected that are famously known for cases of illegal diamond dealing and the ultimate goal was to get rid of floating diamonds in the market so that there would not be a false declaration of diamonds during the upcoming Artisanal Small scale Mining initiative.
These diamonds are planned to be sold at an open auction to be held at the place and date to be announced soon. The Ministry is planning to issue new Artisanal Small scale Mining licenses soon after the amendment regulations passed in the parliament.
This activity commenced in November 2020 and was completed on the 31st March 2021 after being extended due to countrywide lockdown that happened in January.