Workers Laid Off at Marange Diamond Mines in Zimbabwe

More than 400 mine workers are being laid-off by Chinese diamond mining companies operating in Marange, Zimbabwe, due to deposits running out.

The move has upset trade unions who fear many of the workers are being made redundant without any financial packages.

Reports in several African publications said Chinese companies Anjin and Jinan are among those who have ceased operations and will be shutting down mines because alluvial diamond deposits are depleted.

Unions reported that workers had already been given notice and were being laid off without any benefits.

There are seven companies operating in Chiadwsa including Anjin Investments, Diamond Mining Company and Mbada Diamonds.

Aside from Marange Resources, the companies operate joint ventures with government under the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation.

Farai Maguwu, of the Center for Natural Resources Governance, said: “We expected this since it was reported that diamonds are running out.”

He added that companies had been downsizing their labour force for some time and his organisation was endeavouring to find out what deal the workers were getting, although the secretive nature of the diamond industry was making it difficult.