What are blood diamonds used for?
Blood Diamonds, also known as “Conflict Diamonds,” are stones that are produced in areas controlled by rebel forces that are opposed to internationally recognized governments. The rebels sell these diamonds, and the money is used to purchase arms or to fund their military actions.
How much is a 709-carat diamond worth?
Freetown, Sierra Leone (AP) — Officials say a 709-carat diamond found in Sierra Leone has been sold for more than $6.5 million. The diamond is said to be the 14th-largest ever discovered, according to the Rapaport Group, which auctioned the stone in New York on behalf of Sierra Leone’s government.
What are the effects of blood diamonds in Sierra Leone?
Under the cover of warfare the rebels committed heinous crimes against humanity in the form of murder, rape, and mutilation. The war between 1991 and 1999 claimed over 75,000 lives, caused 500,000 Sierra Leoneans to become refugees, and displaced half of the countries 4.5 million people[6].
How much money does Sierra Leone make from diamonds?
Diamond mining remains one of Sierra Leone’s most lucrative export industries, with annual production of up to US$250m. But due to poor governance and widespread corruption, only a fraction of this wealth returns to the areas where diamonds are mined.
What color is a black diamond?
In fact, the actual body color of a natural black diamond may range from near-colorless to brown or “olive” green. Natural-color black diamonds typically are completely opaque, with a high luster that gives the stones an almost metallic appearance.
Is Sierra Leone rich in diamonds?
The largest diamond found in Sierra Leone, and the third largest diamond in the world, was a 969.8 carat (194 g) rough diamond. Sierra Leone should have been one of the world’s richest countries, being blessed with resources, including gold and diamonds.
Which country has the most diamonds?
Russia
Russia and the Botswana hold the world’s largest diamond reserves, totaling 650 million carats and 310 million carats, respectively, as of 2020. Based on production volume, Russia and Australia are the world’s largest producers.
Is Sierra Leone rich?
Our country is regarded as rich and well known for its vast endowment in minerals – diamonds, rutile, bauxite, gold, iron ore, limonite, platinum, chromite, coltan, tantalite, columbite and zircon, as well as promising petroleum potential.
Which country produces the most diamonds in Africa what is the value?
Botswana
In terms of value, Botswana leads the list of the world’s top diamond-producing countries, despite being the second by volume. In 2013 alone, 23.2 million carats worth $3.63 billion were mined in Botswana.
When did the diamond trade start in Sierra Leone?
The diamond history of Sierra Leone began in 1935 when De Beers legally took complete control of the dining prospects in Sierra Leone for the next 99 years. Despite De Beers presence, Lebanese traders within Sierra Leone quickly discovered the immense profits that could be made by smuggling diamonds out of the country.
How did the De Beers campaign help the diamond industry?
This campaign helped to expand the market for diamonds to middle class Americans who had previously believed that diamonds were only for the extremely wealthy. As a result of their marketing scheme, De Beers was able to increase the supply diamonds in the world to meet the new demand.
Who was the first European to visit Sierra Leone?
European contacts within Sierra Leone were among the first in West Africa in the 15th century. In 1462, Portuguese explorer Pedro de Sintra mapped the hills surrounding what is now Freetown Harbour, naming the shaped formation Serra da Leoa or “Serra Leoa” ( Portuguese for Lioness Mountains ).
Why did Sierra Leone not have a forest management system?
Until 2002, Sierra Leone lacked a forest management system because of the civil war that caused tens of thousands of deaths. Deforestation rates have increased 7.3% since the end of the civil war.