Report on the proceedings of the

Diamonds for Development

Sub-Regional Conference

Monrovia, Liberia
28 – 30 June 2006
 Report on the proceedings of the Diamonds
for Development Sub-Regional Conference

Table of Contents

Report …………………………………………………………………………………………………... page 2

Conclusions and Recommendations ………………………………………………………………... page 12
Communiqué Final …………………………………………………………………………………….. page 13
List of Participants …………………………………………………………………………………….. page 15
Introduction
This conference was convened within the framework of the Diamonds for Development initiative
(D4D), which focuses on the sustainable use of revenue from mineral resources for the
purposes of development. It was organised by the Government of Liberia in partnership with
UNDP Liberia and International Alert with the objective of identifying ways to ensure that the
alluvial diamond sector contributes to sustainable peace and development in the Mano River
Basin sub-region.

Hosted by the Government of Liberia’s Ministry for Land, Mines and Energy and held at the
Ministry of Gender and Development in Monrovia, the conference was attended by 118
participants from Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, the UK
and the USA. They included representatives of the governments of Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea,
Liberia and Sierra Leone, the Secretariat of the Mano River Union, the regional and
international public and private sectors, civil society, local mining communities, academics and
donors.

The conference was informed by a background paper produced by International Alert on the
current state of diamond mining in the Mano River Basin and the potential of diamonds as a tool
for peacebuilding and development. Based on a series of visits to working diamond mines,
interviews with diggers, mine owners, traders, exporters, government officials and NGOs, the
report provided an overview of the sub-region and detailed analysis of each country, identifying
possible ways of delivering a larger part of the revenue from diamonds to the miners
themselves and to the rural communities that host them, plus strategies for making artisanal
mine owners more efficient and profitable and less financially dependent on the traders who buy
their stones. It also suggested ways of improving cooperation and harmonising diamond policy
at the regional and international level.

The proceedings were opened officially by Her Excellency Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf,
President of the Republic of Liberia and included plenary sessions and break-out group
sessions, which focused on:

• Issues and challenges of harmonisation (of licensing, land and mining, taxation, labour,
environment)
• Legal, social and fiscal issues (community, local development and environment, legal and
regulatory frameworks, fiscal and revenue management)
• Strategies for moving forward and making diamonds a positive force for development in the
region

Presentations made at the conference can be found on the conference website:

http://www.lr.undp.org/governances7.htm

The importance of devising practical ways forward was strongly emphasised throughout the
conference. A communiqué summarising its conclusions and recommendations was approved
by the participants and will provide the basis for future action.

The conference organisers would like to thank Her Excellency Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf,
President of the Republic of Liberia for her support. Special thanks are also due to Minister
Eugene Shannon for his strategic vision in championing the objectives and the framework of
D4D, Assistant Minister A. Kpandel Fayia for taking the lead in the organisation of the
conference and to. In addition, we would like to thank the governments of Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire,
Guinea, and Sierra Leone for their contribution and participation.

Diamonds for Development Sub-Regional Conference, Liberia, 28-30 June 2006 2

Photo: by Mohamed Yahya taken in Kindia district, Guinea

Conference Proceedings
The issue of diamonds is a critical one for the countries of the Mano River Basin. The
significance of the sub-region’s diamond market in global terms is relatively small, but its impact
on local economies is substantial. The sub-region is rich in natural resources and there is
enormous potential for creating revenue. However, the majority of its people live in abject
poverty and the misuse of revenue generated from diamonds has fuelled violent conflict. This
high value industry has provided very little benefit to governments and communities.

The conference acknowledged that, in recent years, efforts have been made at the international
level to address the problem of ‘blood diamonds’ - by governments, the private sector and
international NGOS, including initiatives such as the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme,
which aims to control the flow of rough diamonds into international markets.

However, it is now time to focus on the human dimension of alluvial diamond mining,
complementing initiatives such as the Kimberley Process and putting the diggers, miners and
the communities in which they work at the heart of any discussions and policy formulation. If the
perspectives, interests and needs of these communities can be linked to the development of
national and regional government and donor policy in a coordinated way, then it is much more
likely that the vicious circle of poverty and conflict can be broken and poverty reduction, conflict
prevention and development achieved.

Participants recognised the scale of this challenge, but saw it as one that could and should be
met, so that the diamond trade can not only be prevented from undermining peace, security,
development, human rights and the environment, but be harnessed as a positive and strategic
force for development in the region, improving the lives of its people.

Diamonds for Development Sub-Regional Conference, Liberia, 28-30 June 2006 3

Identifying the scope of the challenge and the issues and opportunities that surround it was the
focus of the conference discussions and debates. There is a lack of accurate information on the
diamond sector and reliable figures on the number of diamonds mined, people involved in the
trade and revenues generated are extremely difficult to gather. Much mining takes place
clandestinely and smuggling is rife. However, the background report to the conference
attempted to provide an indication of the scale of the problem and was welcomed by
participants as a helpful initial source to which additional data could later be added.

In addition, the countries of the sub-region share many social, environmental and community
issues that are affected by mining and common or transboundary problems, including
unregulated movement of populations, infrastructure limitations, pollution and lack of
development and participants acknowledged the benefits of sharing knowledge and lessons
learned in order to find solutions to these and of making concerted and harmonised efforts in
order to resolve them.

It was agreed that more attention needs to be paid by governments to the consequences of
mining and that industrial companies, local and national authorities and communities need to
work together more effectively for development. The complexities of how to achieve sustainable
development though an activity that is by definition not sustainable and extractive were
recognised and the conference concluded that further analysis and clarification of the issues will
be required before efforts to harmonise policy can take place at the sub-regional level.

Diamonds for Development Sub-Regional Conference, Liberia, 28-30 June 2006 4

Photo by Mohamed Yahya taken in Kono, Sierra Leone

Issues and challenges

Three major points emerged out of the discussions:

1. The exploitation of diamonds has, to a large extent, failed to contribute to social and
economic development. In some cases it has been detrimental to sustainable development
in the sub-region and to the image of the diamond industry as a whole.

2. A number of initiatives are underway, led by various stakeholders - both state actors and
non-state actors - that have the potential to contribute to the development of the sector.

3. For this potential to be fully realised, a number of challenges need to be met, which fall into
four categories:

• Economic framework
• Management of productive assets
• Management of social issues
• Sub-regional coordination and harmonisation

Diamonds for Development Sub-Regional Conference, Liberia, 28-30 June 2006 5

Economic framework
Fiscal and monetary policy (revenue generation and taxation, simplification of tax
collection procedures, revenue management and public expenditure), pricing, financing
of investment in the sector - including alternative sources of funding

Fiscal and monetary policy

The complexity of diamond taxation was recognised as a hindrance to compliance and
collection. In Sierra Leone, for example, the range of taxation includes licensing for mining,
licensing for trading, export taxation and income tax. Fees are paid at the ministry level and at
the local level to chiefdoms – and fees differ between chiefdoms. It is only at the point of export
that production itself is taxed and it is at this point that smuggling becomes an issue. It was
suggested that the simplification of taxation and collection procedures is vital. This would
reduce costs, and thus improve the investment climate; make costs uniform and thus avoid
excessive competition for investment; help prevent smuggling and allow the sector to develop.

In addition, participants recognised that if a country’s valuation system is perceived as unfair

and estimated values for goods believed to be excessive, diamonds will not be exported
through that country. It was suggested that independent valuation should be regional rather
than country-specific in order to address this.

Revenue management
Participants emphasised the benefits of devolving management of resources to the local level.
Guinea’s experience of making use of income from gold, whereby a tax of 0.04% of revenue
has been levied in order to fund development projects that are managed by local government
was given as positive example of this. After a four-year period, donor funding has been replaced
by mining tax1 and has made a concrete difference to the lives of citizens. Similarly, in Sierra
Leone, a proportion of the 3% export duty on diamonds is paid directly to communities through
the Ministry of Resources under the Diamond Area Community Development Fund (DACDF).

Financing and investment

Financial support for artisanal mining comes from various sources, but is rarely straightforward.
The main financial problems identified were lack of capital, of investment opportunities and of
market knowledge.2 Miners said that obtaining credit was a major problem. Financing
institutions consider the sector inherently risky and are often reluctant to negotiate with a mobile
and frequently informal clientele. Another challenge covered in the background paper to the
conference and further discussed by speakers was the problematic supporter system: an
improvement in the relationship between diggers and supporters was identified as a priority. In
order to break the cycle of ‘bonded sellers’, new forms of sustainable mining finance are
required - but speakers warned that they must be based on an in-depth understanding of the
complexities of artisanal operations, taking into consideration the various facets of the mining
operation and the community life of the miners, including their culture and traditions.

Alternative financial support for small-scale miners was seen as crucial and it was suggested
that governments should continue to explore alternative sources of risk capital and private
sector investment. Facilitating access to credit was acknowledged as another priority for
governments and NGOS but careful study and consultation with financial institutions and groups
would be required before schemes could be devised. The micro-finance experience of larger
global banks might be usefully harnessed here. In addition to credit, savings provision should be
included in financial programmes and sustainability should be considered from the start.
However, participants also noted that as local currencies are not convertible on world markets,
the alluvial diamond trade is often used by investors as a means of converting their local
currencies into foreign exchange. As long as these currencies are not convertible on world
markets, larger banks will be unlikely to invest.

1 Presention by Mr Luigi Tessiore on behalf of Mr Carlos Barry, UNDP Guinea, Mining revenues and local development
fund in the northern region of Guinea.
2 Presentation by Mr Andrew Keili, Executive Director, CEMMATS Group Ltd, Encouraging competition and breaking the

chains of the bonded seller: how to introduce sustainable new forms of mining finance

Diamonds for Development Sub-Regional Conference, Liberia, 28-30 June 2006 6

Increasing revenue by making the sector more productive
Participants strongly emphasised the importance of recognising miners as entrepreneurs and of
developing a culture of entrepreneurship in order to make the sector more productive. In
addition to financial support, assistance could also be provided in the form of equipment,
technical support, collecting and disseminating mining information, increasing miners’ market
awareness in order to strengthen their bargaining position or by addressing obstacles related to
regulations, technology, finance, environment and social issues.

The conference recognised that developing an entrepreneurial culture would take time as the
majority of miners are not used to formal business practice such as honouring legal and
financial agreements or making business plans. However, the provision of training in these
areas would not only mean that miners would be able to generate increased revenue but that
they would also be equipped to move into other sectors when diamond mining - a finite industry
- becomes untenable.

Culture and traditional beliefs such as the idea that money from diamonds “is a monster’s
money and the more you waste or lavish it the more one gets”3 also need to be taken into
consideration and educational campaigns mounted to encourage miners to better manage their
revenue.

Other recommendations included limiting the issue of licences to areas known to be likely to
generate adequate revenue. Technical support, assistance with mechanisation and equipment
(possibly on a revolving basis) provided by mining ministries in those areas would improve
efficiency and ensure that mining operations are profitable.

Cooperatives/umbrella organisations
Forming cooperatives or conglomerating artisanal miners into more mechanised small-scale
mining operations was welcomed as a means of increasing productivity and revenue but
experience thus far in Sierra Leone (most notably with the Peace Diamonds Alliance) has
shown that more consideration needs to be given to how this should be done. Successful
initiatives in the Democratic Republic of Congo could be used as a model and more information
on these was requested. The question of whether cooperatives might be cross-border or within
borders was also raised, as was the idea that cooperatives might involve not only miners but
also local communities.

Pricing, valuation and market information

As long as miners remain unable to assess the real value of their diamonds, they run the risk of
being cheated by dealers. A combination of strategies to improve miners’ knowledge of the
market, through training in identification and valuation as well as access to information on prices
would begin to address this. Greater access to information about world markets would benefit
the sub-region’s mining industry and it was suggested that the larger diamond companies could
usefully share their hypotheses on which their marketing strategies are based. However,
commercial concerns and the wish to retain proprietory information may make this problematic.

Image
In addition to measures to increase efficiency and thus productivity, it was suggested that efforts
should be made to improve the global image of diamond mining, shifting away from the negative
connotations of ‘blood diamonds’ and ‘conflict diamonds.’ Failure to do this could result in falling
demand. Because the alluvial mining industry is based on small-scale operations, there is little
space for manoeuvre and it was estimated that a drop in the market of as little as 5-10% would
result in the closure of a large number of mines, with a subsequent harsh impact on local
communities.

Management of productive assets

Efficient use of land, reclamation and waste management, apportionment of claims,
migration and impromptu settlements, geological and entrepreneurial information

3 Presentation by Mr Tomah Seh Floyd (Jungle Water), miner and dealer.

Diamonds for Development Sub-Regional Conference, Liberia, 28-30 June 2006 7

Efficient use of land, reclamation and waste management
Diamond mining is by definition unsustainable as it is about extracting minerals that will not be
regenerated. Countries in the sub-region are paying the price of environmental and health
problems resulting from mining such as pollution and the breeding of malarial mosquitoes in
pits.

Participants discussed the clarification and harmonisation of legislation on land use. It was
recognised that the diamond mining industry’s impact on the environment is significant and that
communities need assistance to cope with the social disruption and environmental degradation
that it generates. Environmental remediation needs to be added to the ‘traditional’ priorities of
education, health and the provision of safe drinking water and strategies developed to reduce
the negative impact of mining on the environment, possibly tied to National Environment Action
Plans. The development of cleaner technologies was identified as one of these strategies.

Governments were seen to have a major part to play in the mitigation of environmental impact
through ensuring that policies, guidelines and procedures regarding the impact of mining on the
environment are devised, complied with and effectively monitored. Measures suggested
4
included the levy of a fee on annual licences to cover the cost of environmental remediation ,
performance bonds, insurance policies, bank guarantees and adequate compensation for injury
to persons and damage caused to property by mining operations. Responsibility for restoring
land after operations cease should rest with mine owners but in addition, local communities
should be provided with the financial resources for land reclamation, restoration and
rehabilitation.

Emphasis was laid on the importance of putting mining activities into a longer-term framework.
Not only should environmental impact assessments (EIAs) of mining operations be carried out
as a preventive measure but the social impact of such operations should also be taken into
consideration (through integrated environmental and social impact assessments (IESAs)) to
include mineral resources and mine life, public participation, reclamation, restoration and
rehabilitation and monitoring. Governments, in consultation with CSOs/NGOs, should devise
guidelines for such assessments.

Apportionment of claims
Issues around land ownership were identified as problematic, including the reluctance of local
communities to accept licences to mine land that they consider theirs because of cultural
heritage. It was suggested that those who claim ownership of land by cultural heritage should
be encouraged to legalise this ownership in order to protect it.

Another suggestion was that government land ministries could devolve a certain amount of
responsibility to a locally based representative in each mining zone who could issue licenses,
give accurate reports on levels of extractions and act as a liaison between the ministry and the
community. This would greatly enhance and inform decision-making and the development of
policy as well as ensuring that communities benefit more from the mining industry. It would also
support the application of and compliance with the Kimberley Process.

Migration and impromptu settlements

The migration of workers and the establishment of impromptu settlements near mining sites
have a significant impact on surrounding communities. These impacts need to be properly
monitored by governments. In addition, the problem of involuntary resettlement of communities
whose land is used for mining was identified as significant. Governments have an important role
to play in developing involuntary resettlement policies, ensuring that they are properly adopted
and that adequate compensation is given to communities.

Geological and entrepreneurial information

Better methods of collection, analysis and dissemination of geological information would
contribute to greater productivity. Participants called for miners to be properly informed of the
full range of government services available to them such as, for example, in Sierra Leone’s

4 Guinea currently levies a 500,000 Guinean franc (US$110) charge – one third of the cost of the annual

licence fee - on artisanal mining licences to cover the cost of environmental remediation.

Diamonds for Development Sub-Regional Conference, Liberia, 28-30 June 2006 8

current pilot project, geologists to advise on the potential of claims, extension engineers to
advise on mine layout and subsequent operations and valuation. They should also be given
access to information on the economy, prices, world markets and values as noted in the section
of this report on developing an economic framework.

Photo by Mohamed Yahya taken in Kindia district, Guinea

Management of social issues

Increasing social benefits of mining for diggers and communities, occupational health
and safety measures, supporting development of skills and training

Increasing the social benefits of mining for diggers and communities

Creating conditions whereby all sections of the community (from diggers to local host
populations) gain from mining is a major challenge for the sub-region and will require an
ongoing and continuous process of public consultation so that all needs are taken into
consideration.

As mentioned previously, it was strongly recommended that environmental impact assessments

(EIAs) should be expanded to take into consideration the social impact of mining operations
through integrated environmental and social impact assessments (IESAs) to include mineral
resources and mine life, public participation, reclamation, restoration and rehabilitation and
monitoring.

Occupational health and safety

There are currently very few, if any, health and safety measures in place in the alluvial diamond
mining industry. An important part of formalising the sector would be the formulation and
enforcement of standardised health and safety measures, to include training in safe mining
practices, provision of medical care, regulated working hours and rules on safety. Greater

Diamonds for Development Sub-Regional Conference, Liberia, 28-30 June 2006 9

efforts should be made by government mine monitoring officers to ensure compliance with
safety rules and regulations.

Supporting skills development and training for miners

Training for the mining community was identified as key to improving their productivity and
therefore increasing revenues that benefit the whole community as noted above in the section
on developing an economic framework. Further discussion of whether this training should be
financed by employers or governments (or both) is required.

Sub-regional coordination and harmonisation

Developing the legal framework, harmonisation (of tax, mining, environmental and land
tenure law), developing capacity to enforce existing laws and standards, transboundary
migration and related problems, supporting the establishment of diggers’ unions,
reviewing relations between central and local levels of government

Taxation
Differing levels of export tax amongst countries in the sub-region mean that diamonds are
smuggled to those with lower fees for export. Harmonisation of export tax was posited as a way
to reduce smuggling, however tax harmonisation has political and economic complexities
(including implications for sovereignty and potential loss of revenue for specific countries) and
participants saw the need for further and refined analysis of the issue, calling for greater
government understanding of the dynamics, complexities and implications of taxation and
harmonisation of policy, whilst also recognising that taxation levels should not be set so high
that the trade itself is taxed out of existence.

Harmonisation of licensing was considered to be an equally if not more challenging issue,

because of differing levels of opportunity of revenue between countries. It was suggested that
harmonisation of a licensing framework be developed rather than harmonisation of cost.

Developing the legal framework (mining, environmental and land tenure law)
The challenges of developing the legal framework so that it can be properly implemented were
discussed at length, particularly the issues of formalisation of the sector and of the
harmonisation of policy, legislation and tax. Formal legislation, based on the needs of the
community, is required in order to introduce best practice principles to this informal and
unregulated industry. Diamond mining takes place all over the sub-region, but it has yet to
emerge as a sector. Formalising it, through harmonised laws and procedures would strengthen
it, provide it with greater strength and maximise revenue, as well as providing protection for
those involved. Sierra Leone’s Law Reform Commission is currently reviewing all laws relating
to the mining sector with a view to modernising regulation, including Kimberley Process
compliance legislation and diamond marketing and production. One approach could be to share
drafts of legislation in order to provide working documents for consideration.

However, it was acknowledged that laws differ in form and substance between the countries of
the sub-region and another option might be to draft a legal framework that could then to be
studied carefully to see which parts of it would be applicable in each case.

The regional harmonisation of penalties and ways of enforcing them was suggested, plus the
negotiation of a protocol on harmonised tariffs. In addition, there was discussion on the
possibility of drafting of a Diamond Act, based on the Namibian example, which could be
replicated in each of the participating countries, embodying a comprehensive set of provisions
and addressing best practices from production to export, to include requirements for a chain of
warranty (licensing, receipts, invoices, declaration of stock etc.).

The complexities of legal harmonisation were noted and participants suggested that further
analysis at national levels would be required before harmonising policy at the sub-regional level.
The complexity of the issue notwithstanding, it was agreed that efforts should be made to keep
the number of laws promulgated to a minimum in order to promote comprehension and
encourage compliance.

Diamonds for Development Sub-Regional Conference, Liberia, 28-30 June 2006 10

Building capacity to enforce existing laws and standards
It was suggested that before addressing enforcement, it would first be necessary to identify the
relevant institutions within each country responsible for the promulgation of laws (e.g. Law
Reform Commissions and Justice Ministries), then to identify clearly the issues to be covered by
legislation and then to identify the body of law in each country that should contain provisions on
mining (mining legislation, the criminal penal code, new diamond mining and marketing
legislation, environmental legislation, labour laws and laws on health law).

Internal controls
International sanctions against diamond mining in Cote d’Ivoire and Liberia were seen as having
failed, increasing the volume of smuggled diamonds flowing out of West Africa and undermining
legitimate trade in Guinea and Sierra Leone. The Kimberley Process has helped to ensure that
a higher percentage of the diamonds produced by Guinea and Sierra Leone are sold through
legal channels but it has not managed to ensure that each diamond certified can be reliably
traced back to its mine of origin.

Internal controls were suggested as a means of combating smuggling, including a basic

framework that would address full traceability of production from mine to first point of sale, plus
legal frameworks and systems for licensing miners, traders and exporters with a clear system of
receipts. It was suggested that lessons could be learned from Sierra Leone’s experience of the
Kimberley Process and of creating the Diamond Area Development Fund, which involves
communities in the policing of their own areas, providing them with revenue every six months to
be invested in development projects. This incentive-based approach could be complemented by
higher penalties for smuggling, adopted on a regional basis

Diggers’ unions
The need for self-regulation led to the suggestion that unions may be better equipped to deal
with malpractice within the industry than government or police. However, for this to take place
they would need to be established as legal entities in order to empower them to bring criminals
to justice.

Participants agreed on the importance of ensuring that legislation on diamonds is properly

understood by those who are affected by it and that more investment should be made in the
dissemination of information on legal issues relating to diamonds.

Reviewing relations between central and local levels of government

It was suggested that decentralisation would also help regulate the industry. This would require
laws empowering local prefectures and district councils to collect and disburse taxes and
benefits and giving them specific areas of responsibility regarding the welfare of diggers (such
as the provision of healthcare).

Another suggestion was the compulsory registration of diggers by local district councils,
preferably in their hometowns, after which they would be free to dig anywhere within the
country. Registration would give diggers entitlement to certain benefits from the district council
and would address sub-regional security concerns about the large numbers of able-bodied
young men who are unaccounted for within the sub-region’s economies.

Diamonds for Development Sub-Regional Conference, Liberia, 28-30 June 2006 11

Conclusions and Recommendations
The following actions were agreed:

1. Disseminate the proceedings of the conference through an appropriate and effective

communications strategy that will ensure the widest possible outreach in mining
communities, concerned countries and beyond. Adopt a new, more dynamic and
appropriate approach to communications around Africa’s mineral resources.

2. Develop a strategy aiming at operationalising the conclusions of the conference with a

view to:

• strengthening the positive development experiences that have been presented

to empower local actors
• facilitating cooperation between the various levels of government
• enhancing intersectoral linkages and promoting the formulation of joint policies
(diamond sector in the context of general mining sector and broadly in the
context of land use and alternative economic activities)
• developing and implementing specific programmes of technical, financial and
management assistance to increase the entrepreneurial capacity of miners
and the economic viability of the sector
• developing and protecting a positive image of the diamond sector

3. Set up a flexible task force to identify appropriate ways and means forward (including
through the elaboration of terms of reference) including an institutional framework. The
task force should:

• be representative of local and central governments, civil society, academia,

professional bodies, and private sector institutions at national and sub-
regional level – and harness the best expertise available
• ensure that appropriate interaction takes place between stakeholders at local,
national and the sub-regional level
• mobilise resources and ensure that they reach all appropriate stakeholders

It was agreed that this task force should hold its first meeting as soon as possible after
the conference.

4. Further refine the conceptual, analytical and methodological issues pertaining to

harmonisation and data collection and further develop the strategic positioning of the
sector within the national and sub-regional environment.

5. Undertake a scoping exercise in order to assess the viability of developing national and
regional core policies.

Responsibility for implementing the above actions will be taken by the task force.

Diamonds for Development Sub-Regional Conference, Liberia, 28-30 June 2006 12

 COMMUNIQUE
Sub-regional Conference on Diamonds for Development
30 June 2006

The Sub-regional Conference on Diamonds for Development organized in Monrovia, Liberia on

28 to 30 June 2006 by the Government of Liberia, the United Nations Development programme
(UNDP) and International Alert and attended by representatives of Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea and
Sierra Leone, the Secretariat of the Mano River Union as well as regional and international
public and private sectors and civil society partners and representatives of local mining
communities approved the following conclusions.

Confirming their commitment to ensure that diamonds from this region will henceforth not be
used to undermine peace, security, development, human rights or the environment,

The participants,

1. Welcome the emphasis placed on the human dimension of the alluvial diamond trade
and the centrality of mining communities in all efforts to improve the performance of that
sector which, so far, has been sub-optimal.
2. Acknowledge that the sector faces a number of challenges that require appropriate
and timely interventions at the national and sub-regional level with institutions such as
the Mano River Union, ECOWAS and other stakeholders to address the macro-
economic framework, the management of productive assets, social issues and the
establishment of appropriate governance frameworks.
3. Recognize that complementarities exist between Diamonds 4 Development, the
Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, Diamond Development Initiative, and Peace
Diamonds Alliance, the Communities Artisanal Small-Scale Mining Secretariat and the
Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative and advocate for strengthened collaboration
among them.
4. Note with satisfaction the active deliberations that identified follow-up activities aimed at
fostering partnership and dialogue between the various stakeholders with the ultimate
goal of alleviating poverty in mining communities and furthering regional cooperation in
West Africa, particularly amongst MRU member states, including Cote d’Ivoire.
5. Urge the organizers in close collaboration with governments and all stakeholders as
appropriate to implement the following activities that have been approved:

a) Disseminate the proceedings of the conference through an appropriate and effective

communications strategy that will ensure the widest possible outreach in mining
communities, concerned countries and beyond. Adopt a new, more dynamic and
appropriate approach to communications around Africa’s mineral resources.

b) Develop a strategy aiming at operationalising the conclusions of the conference with a

view to:
• strengthening the positive development experiences that have been presented
to empower local actors,
• facilitating cooperation between the various levels of government,
• enhancing intersectoral linkages and promoting the formulation of joint policies
(diamond sector in the context of general mining sector and broadly in the
context of land use and alternative economic activities),
• developing and implementing specific programmes of technical, financial and
management assistance to increase the entrepreneurial capacity of miners and
the economic viability of the sector and
• developing and protecting a positive image of the diamond sector.

c) Set up a flexible task force to identify appropriate ways and means forward (including
through the elaboration of terms of reference) including an institutional framework. The
task force should:

Diamonds for Development Sub-Regional Conference, Liberia, 28-30 June 2006 13

 I. be representative of local and central governments, civil society, academia,
professional bodies, and private sector institutions at national and sub-regional
level – and harness the best expertise available,
II. ensure that appropriate interaction takes place between stakeholders at local,
national and the sub-regional level and
III. mobilise resources and ensure that they reach all appropriate stakeholders.

It is imperative that the task force hold its first meeting as soon as possible after the
Conference.

d) Further refine the conceptual, analytical and methodological issues pertaining to

harmonization and data collection and further develop the strategic positioning of the
sector within the national and sub-regional environment.

e) Undertake a scoping exercise in order to assess the viability of developing national and
regional core policies.

6. Thank Her Excellency, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia, for
her leadership in hosting the conference and the organizers for providing this necessary
platform for sub-regional dialogue.

Monrovia, Liberia - 30 June 2006

Diamonds for Development Sub-Regional Conference, Liberia, 28-30 June 2006 14

Participants

Name Title Organisation Country Phone Email

A. Kpandel Fayia Deputy Minister Ministry of Land, Mines Liberia [email protected]

and Energy
Abdul Wahab Director General Adjoint National Guinea 224-60-35-82- [email protected]
Diakhaby Diamond Office 96/224-60-58-61-
20
Abdullahi Jalloh USAID S. Leone [email protected]
Adou M'be Technical Ministry of Mines and C. d'Ivoire 225-20-22-2032 [email protected]
Advisor on Energy
Mines and
Energy
Akoumba Diallo Redacteur en L'Aurore Guinea 224-64-29-41- [email protected];
Chef 06/63-40-23-71 [email protected]
Albert T. Chie Assistant Ministry of Land, Mines Liberia 231-6-515653 [email protected]
Minister and Energy
Mme Alfreda Deputy Minister Ministry of Finance Liberia
Tamba
Alimane Wurie Director of Mines Ministry of Mines S. Leone 232-76-602149/76 [email protected]
61514
Dr. Alioune Sall African Futures S. Africa [email protected]
Allou Diallo Secretary Mano River Union S. Leone 232-76-908-525 [email protected]
General Secretariat
Alpha Kpetewama Chairman Peace Diamonds S. Leone 231-76-770-718 [email protected]
Alliance
Andre Hope Lawyer S. Leone 232-22-227- [email protected]
301/232-22-670-
777
Andrew Keili Executive CEMMATS Group Ltd S. Leone 232-76-602- [email protected]
Director 174/232-22-227-
256
Anna Van United Nations Senegal
Nieuwenhuizen Development
Programme (UNDP),
SURF
Annette Kiawu Programme UNIFEM Liberia 231-6-551454 [email protected]
Officer
Anthony T. Simon Federation of Miners Liberia 231-6-456204 [email protected]
Association of Liberia
(FOMAL)
Bawo Luke Resident Liberia 231-6-540981 [email protected]
Coordinator
Benjamin Houge USA 1-651-430-2907 [email protected]
Bernard Taylor Executive Partnership Africa Canada 1-613-237-6768 [email protected]
Director Canada
Bogui Magloire Engineer
Carlton Miller Ministry of Land, Mines Liberia [email protected]
and Energy
Cassandra Waldon United Nations USA 1-212-9066499 [email protected]
Development
Programme (UNDP)
Catherine Hall Consultant UK 44-7930-394628 [email protected]
Charles Dagoseh Ministry of Land, Mines Liberia 231-6-552963
and Energy
Christine Sheckler Country Director USAID/American S. Leone 232-76-612118 [email protected]
Embassy Free Town
Dan Smith Secretary International Alert UK 44-20-7627-6800 [email protected]
General
Daouda Kourouma Permanent du Ministry of Mines Guinea 224-60-26-81- [email protected]
Processus de 28/64/21/22/41
Kimberley en
Guinée
Dennis Oretha Ecowas Civil Society of Liberia 231-6-580822
Liberia (ECSOL)
Dore Abdoulaye Ambassador Embassy of Guinea, Guinea 231-6- [email protected]
Monrovia 564615/231-77-
21-48-40
E.C. B. Jones Deputy Minister Ministry of Land, Mines Liberia
and Energy
El-Hadj Mama CONADOG Guinea 224-60-26-81- [email protected]
Kaba 28/64-21-22-41

Diamonds for Development Sub-Regional Conference, Liberia, 28-30 June 2006 15

Elizabeth Oduor- Deputy Resident United Nations Liberia 231-6-512921 [email protected]
Noah Representative Development
Programme (UNDP)
Dr. Eugene Minister Ministry of Land, Mines Liberia 231-6-473793 [email protected]
Shannon and Energy
Fannie Greene Ecowas Civil Society of Liberia 231-7724-9189 [email protected]
Liberia (ECSOL)
Frank Karefa-Smart Consultant Integrated Diamond S. Leone 232-22-227- [email protected]
Management Program 724/76-61-19-29
Freemour A. Director of Trade Ministry of Labour Liberia
Tolbert Union Affairs
G. Pewu Subah Subah-Belleh Liberia [email protected]
Associates
Gamaliel Political Affairs ONUCI C. d’Ivoire 225-05-99-02-41 [email protected]
Ndaruzaniye Officer
Gedegbaku Philip Miners and Workers Liberia
George Duokenel Ministry of Land, Mines Liberia 231-6-519733 [email protected]
and Energy - DFI
(Liberia), Inc
Gesler E. Murray Assistant Ministry of Land, Mines Liberia gesler@[email protected]
Minister and Energy
Goder Yohannes United Nations Liberia [email protected]
Development
Programme (UNDP)
Godwin Nyelo GEMAP Liberia
Gohounso Norbert Conference Ghana [email protected]
Interpreter
Ibrahima Kalil Directeur CPDM Guinea 224-60-27-11-67 [email protected]
Soumah Général
J. Momolu Kaindii, Liberia 231-6-541560 [email protected]
Jr.
Jacob Z. Harris Miners and Workers Liberia
James B Konuwa Assistant Ministry of Land, Mines Liberia [email protected]
Minister and Energy
James S. Kpateh Deputy Director Ministry of Finance Liberia
General
James Worquea Director Revenue Technical Unit, Liberia 231-6-515937 [email protected];
Ministry of Finance
Jamilah Sow Program Analyst United Nations Liberia 231-6-824820 [email protected]
Development
Programme (UNDP)
Jean-Pierre Kassi Charge d'Etudes Ministry of Mines and C. d’Ivoire 225-20-21-50-03 [email protected]
Mines Energy
Jefferson Wylie Ministry of Land, Mines Liberia [email protected]
and Energy
Jeremiah Sulunteh Ministry of Transport Liberia 231-6-472976 [email protected]
Jerome P. Diamond Valuer Ministry of Land, Mines Liberia [email protected]
Wotorson and Energy
John Attah Conference Ghana
Koranteng Interpreter [email protected]
John Bleah Mineral Process Liberia
Engineer [email protected]
John C. Nylander Deputy Minister Ministry of Land, Mines Liberia 231-6-510482 [email protected]
and Energy
John G. Thomas Ministry of Land, Mines Liberia [email protected]
and Energy
John Quewon Chief Federation of Miners Liberia 231-6-455506
Association of Liberia
(FOMAL)
John Walker UNMIL Liberia 231-6-512948 [email protected]
Jordan Ryan DSRSGl; UNMIL; United Nations Liberia [email protected]
Resident Development
Representative Programme (UNDP)
Joseph Geebro Deputy Minister Ministry of Internal Liberia 231-6-587821 [email protected]
for Research Affairs
and
Development
Joseph James President and The Corporation for USA 1-803-462-0153 [email protected]
CEO Economic Opportunity
Julu Jonhson Assistant Ministry of Land, Mines Liberia [email protected]
Minister and Energy
Kamara K. Abdullai Coordinator Liberia Media Project, Liberia 231-6-522-334 [email protected]
International Alert
Kamil Kamaludden United Nations Liberia [email protected]
Development
Programme (UNDP)

Diamonds for Development Sub-Regional Conference, Liberia, 28-30 June 2006 16

Kandjoura Kebé Interpreter Government of Guinea Guinea 224 606 75 373
Kesse Gbongue Director of Mines Ministry of Mines and C. d’Ivoire 225-20-22-20- [email protected]
Energy 27/225-20-21-49-
64/22-50-79-57-
61
Kpah Tyler Secretary Federation of Miners Liberia 231-6-851956 [email protected]
General Association of Liberia
(FOMAL)
Lansana Gberie Academic and S. Leone [email protected]
Researcher
Lawrence Diamond Ministry of Land, Mines Liberia 231-6-580090 [email protected]
Shepherd Appraiser and Energy
Leon Boksenbojm Consultant C. d’Ivoire 225-07-61-85-78 [email protected]
Dr. Leslie Wright Mano River Corporation Liberia [email protected]
Liberty Estelle K Acting Minister Liberia
Luigi Tessiore UNDP-Surf Senegal [email protected]
Lulsegged Abebe West Africa International Alert UK 44-20-7627-6800 [email protected]
Programme
Manager
Mamadou Diaby CECIDE Guinea 224-60-36-94-12 [email protected]
Maria Olson Programme International Alert UK 44-20-7627-6800 [email protected]
Officer,
Peacebuilding
Issues
Mark White Programme UK Department for S. Leone 232-22-233-620 [email protected]
Manager International
Development (DFID)
Mohamed Swaray- Minister of State Ministry of Mineral S. Leone
Deen Resources
Mohamed Yahya West Africa International Alert UK 44-20-7627-6800 [email protected]
Senior
Programme
Officer
Momo Bainda Gold and Diamond Liberia 231-6-453242
Miners and Workers of
Liberia
Moses Segbeyan Ministry of Land, Mines Liberia 231-077026963
and Energy
Moustapha Touray Diamond Valuer S. Leone 232-7-6609333 [email protected]
Mulntosh Toga Minister Liberia [email protected]
Neil Cooper University of Bradford UK [email protected]
Nessie Golakai United Nations Liberia 231-6-440315 [email protected]
Development
Programme (UNDP)
Nyelo Godwin Ministry of Land, Mines Liberia 231-6-839202 [email protected]
and Energy
Dr. Ousmane Sylla Ministre Ministry of Mines Guinea
des Mines et de
la Géologie
Paul Kofi Koranteng Conference Ghana [email protected]
Interpreter
Paul Temple Project MSI S. Leone [email protected]
Coordinator
Peter Kofi Tassie Conference Ghana [email protected]
Interpreter
Prince Mambu Ministry of Land, Mines Liberia 231-6-590478
and Energy
Prince Toe Federation of Miners Liberia [email protected]
Association of Liberia
(FOMAL)
Prosper Bani United Nations Senegal [email protected]
Development
Programme (UNDP)
Salebia Yeakeh Internally Displaced Liberia 231-05- [email protected]
People Association of 862175/06-
Liberia 562258
Salil Tripathi Senior Policy International Alert UK 44-20-7627-6800 [email protected]
Advisor
Sam Adelemi Embassy of Nigeria, Liberia 231-6-527723 [email protected]
Monrovia
Samuel Koroma UK Department for S. Leone [email protected]
International
Development (DFID)
Samuel S. Collins Miners and Workers Liberia

Diamonds for Development Sub-Regional Conference, Liberia, 28-30 June 2006 17

Sesay Joseph Sam Civil Affairs S. Leone 231-55- [email protected]
Officer 77058/231-6-577-
058
Shardrach Y. Miners and Workers Liberia
Wisner
Siah W. Nyoun Ministry of Land, Mines Liberia 231-6-547830
and Energy
Sidy Diawara NED Liberia
Simon Gilbert De Beers Group UK 44-20-7404-4444 [email protected];
[email protected]
Steven Ursino Country Director United Nations Liberia [email protected]
Development
Programme (UNDP)
Sylvester Ministry of Land, Mines Liberia 231-6522634
Massaguoi and Energy
Tamba Nyumalin Miner President Liberia 231-6-459354
Thomas Cassell Miner President Federation of Miners Liberia 231-5-891089 federationofmins.yahoo.com;
Association of Liberia [email protected]
(FOMAL)
Thomas Garr Vice President Liberia 231-6-455506
Tomah-Seh Floyd Miner and Liberia [email protected]
(Jungle Water) Dealer
Tye K.S. Jaye Federation of Miners Liberia 231-5-630573 [email protected]/
Association of Liberia [email protected]
(FOMAL)
Tyrone Gaston The Futures Liberia 231-07723- [email protected]
Group/USGS 8148/06814-162
Usman Boie Deputy Director Ministry of Mineral S. Leone 232-22-240- [email protected]
Kamara of Mines Resources 574/232-76-603-
096
Walter Gwenigale Ministry of Health and Liberia 231-6-523669 [email protected]
Social Welfare
Womenor Yema Technician Ghana
Dotse
Wurie Almamy Director Ministry of Mineral S. Leone [email protected]
Resources

Diamonds for Development Sub-Regional Conference, Liberia, 28-30 June 2006 18