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Diamonds in Sierra Leone


[|Diamonds] = = __**Diamond** __ · 100% concentrated carbon · Scientifically, carbon shares all 4 electrons with Carbon atoms · Hardest (resistance of being scratched) natural resource on the KNOOP scale · The name diamond comes from the Greek word, adamao, an adjective used to describe the hardest substance known · First existence/ usage diamonds date back to 4th century BC in India and Brazil //__Background of Diamonds in Sierra Leone __// · In 1867, the first African diamonds were discovered in Cape Colony and the first diamond discovered in Sierra Leone was in 1930 o <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A young boy, Erasmus Jacobs found a stone on his father farm that was located on the south bank of the Orange River <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Sierra Leone is the producer of the finest diamonds in the world <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Kimberly became the first company to produce diamonds, until Rhodes and Barnato both Englishmen began to rival over mining diamonds and Rhodes ended up on top. Finally, Rhodes combined with De Beers and De Beers won. <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Under the governing of Siaka Stevens, conflict diamonds emerged <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">He created the National Diamond Mining Company in partner with Mohommed <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Diamonds became very profitable and Stevens, a corrupt government official allowed illegal mining, trading and exporting in order to make revenue which in the long run became hurtful to the citizen of Sierra Leone __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">//De Beers Diamonds// __ <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">De beers’, a London based company owns all right to mining and distributing diamonds <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This was established in 1935 guaranteeing them 99 years <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Created a monopoly <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">First diamond found in 1888 in the Kimberly Mine. This stoned weight 435.8 carats <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">By 1985, de beers owned the complete diamond industry in the world

__<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Conflict Diamonds (Blood Diamonds) __ <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Diamonds mined and traded by rebels that represent 4-15% of the world’s total diamonds <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Illegal diamonds that come from areas controlled by forces opposing government to fund military action <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">This became a worldwide problem during a war from 1991-2002 <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">The R.U.F has seized the capital of Sierra Leone <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">the National Provisional Ruling Council (N.P.R.C.) engaged in a war with R.U.F. rebels over conflict diamonds <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">A report from Partnership African Canada stated, “Upwards of 50,000 [have been] killed, half the population displaced, and more than two-thirds of its already severely limited infrastructure destroyed.” <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> We must spare people the ordeal of war, mutilations and death for the sake of conflict diamonds." //**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">- //<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin Chungong Ayafor, Chairman of the Sierra Leone Panel of Experts //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">  <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">·  <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">With conflict diamonds controlled many countries will no longer be able to war against each due to lack of finances and this would also prevent reoccurrence
 * //<span style="color: #3333ff; font-family: 'Garamond','serif'; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">"Diamonds are forever" it is often said. But lives are not.

//__Blood Diamonds__// Blood DiamondsWhen Sierra Leone became independent from the British, the diamond trafficing started to become a big problem. As an independent country, Sierra Leone's prime minister, Siaka Stevens, and De Beers' sold more than two million carats in 1970, 595,000 carats in 1980, and 48,000 carats in the year 1988. When the Siaka Stevens retired his sucessor, Joseph Momoh, asked his advisor to be in charge of the diamond mining. When The advisor was in control, illegal diamond mining errupted through out the country. When the government started to corrupt, the diamond mines attracted the RUF. The RUF then took control of the mines in order to get money for their guns and amunnition. THe RUF would get their prisoners to work in the mines. The prisoners would get about seven cents a day. And if the miners were accused of stealing a diamond, the RUF would chop off their hands or feet.

Back before Sierra Leone was in a civil war, the dianmonds that were found there were still smuggled out of the country and were illegel. There was a scheme that the government created called the Alluvial Mining Scheme. This scheme allowed mining and trading liences to the 75,000 natives of Sierra Leone. The people of the Sierra Leone was not allowed to own a mine because during this time, the Brittish still owned by the British. Today, there are alot of children miners. The country is trying to get the children rights. The children who mine, some as old as ten, have to dig, sift, or carry bags of gravel that weigh 30 to 60 kilograms on their heads from sunrise to sunset. They are in the process of also having human rights in thier country also. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Commission for the Management of Strategic Resources, National Reconstruction and development Act, 1999 controls the natrual resources that Sierra Leone has. Like the gold and the diamonds are now under control of the government instead of may person.

But today, not all diamonds are inspected. Most countries go throught the Kimberly Process. This process makes sure that there are no "conflict" diamonds entering the diamond trade. So far there are 47 countries that are a part of the Kimberly Process. And the United States is one of them. Members of the Kimberly Process are only allowed to trade with other members of the scheme. This process was created to eliminate long lasting conflicts between Congo, Sierra Leone and Angola dealing with rough diamonds. For exmaple, in the United States many sign a waiver stating that they have not recieved a blood diamond, however this is most certainly not true and frankly I do not see any way of controlling this problem.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;"> __Song Analysis:__ This emotional song by Lupe Fiasco is laced with Sierra Leone diamond references. I chose this song against Kanye West's song "Diamonds are Forever" to represent our page because Mr. West does not speak of Sierra Leone once in his song, he is simply rapping about how he isn't giving up his spot in the limelight anytime soon. Lupe Fiasco on the other hand exposes the truth about diamonds, yet stands his ground and claims he'll still buy and "rock" diamonds, but he knows he's supporting a war and child abuse. Among the many deep lines, the one that stood out most was: "I was brushing of the haters, trying to be cool. Didn't have a clue that the rapper was helping the rapers, raiders of the villagers, pillagers of the schools. Shooters of the innocent, torturers of the witnesses, burners of the businesses And my bracelet was the fuel." This line truly emphasizes the misconception and ignorance many people have about diamonds. When purchasing a diamond for love, power, appearance, etc., they have no idea that many children and families are being abused and killed, simply for their selfish diamond purchase. Another line that stuck in my head was," I wasn't thinking twice when I was putting mine on about a young shorty in Sierra Leone or other conflict countries that people call home. I figured i would never go to Angola so it never did affect me that made me indirectly that my necklace was funding a rebellion or a military coup." He is once again calling attention to all ignorant people buying diamonds, including himself, and that he had no idea that something as simple as buying a piece of diamond jewelry, if not confirmed through the Kimberly Process, could have stimulated more conflict by giving money to the Sierra Leone diamond industry.

"Conflict Diamonds" - Lupe Fiasco <span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">Diamonds are forever, They wont leave in the night i've no fear that they might. Desert me!

Uhh, F and F, uhh

Diamonds are forever

Yeah, ya no what im saying I figure, I feel like i should just, ya no Show people the other side that wonder where, ya no wat im sayin, that are presently unaware. They dont know about it, ya no wat im sayin, ya no jus show em theres another side to this thing right here, its called bling!

[Verse 1:] Allow me to break down the game, behind the bracelets, earrings, chains, watches and rings. The bling, the crystal incrusted, princess flooded, canary studded, blue coloured and blood stained. Yeah the older brother of the drug game, that giver of fame, the take awayer of lame. the empowerer of the kings that came wit claims and disease to leave where the native people were staying. Believe, my engagement ring received and flossed at the cost of a bondage child minus pain. Long ago kings use to wear em in their armour, when they fought other armies, because it use to scare em. If you wasn't rich couldn't wear em. Witches use to marry em',they'd shoot you before they share em. The gift and the curse, the venom and the serum. Most hated ladies best friend get murked for a clear one.

[Chorus]

Diamonds are forever...

[Verse 2:] Cecil Rhodes sold war and genocide, unto the countryside just to get his shine on! I fear what Debeers and his peers use to do before the world really knew just to get they mine on! Making paper with slave labour and hittin little kids with life time beards making em cut and shine stones. Inflating the price and making em look nice and i wasnt thinking twice when i was putting mine on. About a young shorty in Sierra Leone or other conflict countries that people call home. I figured i would never go to Angola so it never did affect me that made me indirectly. That my necklace was funding a rebellion or a military coup, started by militia'a that dont believe in following none of Genevas rules. I was brushing of the haters, trying to be cool. Didnt have a clue that the rapper was helping the rapers, raiders of the villagers, pillagers of the schools. Shooters of the innocent, torturers of the witnesses, burners of the businesses And my bracelet was the fuel. Uhh, i aint pushing an agenda homie, im jus pushing the facts, Fuck Bush! Cuz theres people doin worse on this earth and there black, i took it for years now let me bring it back, We all know on for sures that they finance wars, but asks yourself do they finance yours. When i first got mine i took em out on tour, didnt know they lost half the value when i took em out the store. Or it was full of moisenites and cubics but the jeweller knew i was stupid and that i couldnt prove it. Feeling like i need it because i do music, to impress the groupies and the interviewers. So i didnt praise nor did i loop it, even gave em to my girl thinkin i was cupid. Homies were all hating hoping they could make me lose it, creeping through my own hood knew i had to remove it. I see the Russian Mafia, the Jewish Mobsters, the undercover terrorists and the traps for the hustlers. Homie its a rap for the nonsense rhyming, props to Kanye i call it Conflict Diamonds.

[Chorus] <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">

The diamonds in Sierra Leone bring positive and negative effects to the civilians. Positive effects: 1. Mining the diamonds helps the country economically by bringing in revenue and jobs for unskilled workers. 2. Has contributed to the stability of their currency. 3. Youths could help out with the (YES) Youth Employment Scheme to help rehabilitate mines. 4. There is a lesser amount of conflict diamonds still around. This has decresed since the kimberly Process. Negative effects: 1. A negative impact is the damage that the mining does to the environment. A rehabilitation fund was started in 2001. This was to rehabilitate mined out areas to make them useful for agriculture. 2. Another negative impact with diamonds is that the citizens of Sierra Leone depend alot on the success of the diamond industry. The total number of people living off of diamonds is about 100,000 people. the ratio is about 5:1 with people working directly in the field. 3. The people that work in the mines make as little as $2. There wages are not very high. They are also given one meal a day. The amount of money that the diamond industry brings is alot. If the industry went bust, most of the people of Sierra Leone would be jobless and would hurt the country economically.

Year || $Mil. || Carats  || $/Ct || 1992 ||  $31,290,013  ||  331,800  ||  $94  || 1993  ||  $20,167,284  ||  157,997  ||  $128  || 1994  ||  $30,196,365  ||  255,108  ||  $118  || 1995  ||  $22,002,272  ||  213,776  ||  $103  || 1996  ||  $28,307,189  ||  270,452  ||  $105  || 1997  ||  $11,802,845  ||  114,439  ||  $103  || 1998  ||  $1,780,337  ||  15,818  ||  $113  || 1999  ||  $1,244,825  ||  9,320  ||  $134  || 2000  ||  $10,066,921  ||  77,372  ||  $130  || 2001  ||  $26,022,492  ||  222,520  ||  $117  || 2002  ||  $41,732,130  ||  351,859  ||  $119  || 2003  ||  $75,969,753  ||  506,723  ||  $150  || 2004  ||  $126,652,634  ||  691,757  ||  $183  || 2005  ||  $141,940,244  ||  668,709  ||  $212  || *2006  ||  $118,869,692  ||  572,332  ||  $208  ||
 * Sierra Leone Diamond Exports**

Note: Upon implementation of the Kimberley Process in 2003/2004. 2004 diamond exports surged by $50.7 million, 67 percent to $126.6 million. Source: Sierra Leone Ministry of Mineral Resources.
 * 2006 data - as of Dec 12, 2006.

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