LOUISVILLE, United States — From the late 19th century to the present, African-mined diamonds have played a pivotal role in the lives of many native Africans due to their global and economic significance. As luxury and trends evolved, African diamonds gained prominence, marking their place in history as the continent transformed into a diamond powerhouse. Violence and territorial disputes continue to raise ethical questions about industry management and call into question the responsibility diamond buyers bear for their participation in the market.
Diamonds are both culturally and economically significant, signifying divine blessing and being closely tied to identity. In certain regions, diamonds embody resilience, with black diamonds in particular regarded as sacred tears of deities, symbolizing both suffering and strength and the continent’s enduring spirit despite centuries of adversity.
Botswana, for example, derives approximately 75-80% of its export earnings from the diamond sector alone. Revenue generated through diamond mining finances public services, education and infrastructure, transforming it from one of the world’s poorest countries into an upper-middle-income nation. Marred by a tumultuous history and present-day challenges, the diamond industry is changing in hopes of making a positive impact on both Africa and the planet through ethical, sustainable mining and gender-inclusive initiatives.
Market Emergence of Lab-Made Diamonds
As the shift toward ethical and inclusive diamond mining in Africa accelerates, community-driven efforts benefit local populations and guarantee revenue. Even as the popularity of factory-grown diamonds poses an economic threat, miners remain undeterred.
Manufactured mainly in China and India, lab-grown diamonds, made of crystallized carbon, cost 70% less than locally sourced mined diamonds. The retail price of a polished diamond is 40% more. The low-cost model appeals to buyers but affects African mines, reducing earnings, weakening local economies and constraining investments. In Kono, Sierra Leone, Daniel toils on despite pay disputes and production strains caused by diamond mine closures. The small-scale mine in Kono, operated by foreman Daniel, was officially cited as closed due to security concerns.
Economic implications are particularly significant in Sierra Leone, where diamond mining is the primary source of income in rural communities such as Kono District. Artisanal and small-scale mining employs thousands of people and is essential to the local economy, even as competition from lab-made diamonds decreases diamond value. Households have few alternatives due to limited land access, government support and financing. More than 70% of Sierra Leone’s artisanal miners live below the poverty line and see little of the trade’s billions in export earnings.
Daniel, however, remains optimistic because diamond mining is his livelihood. He remains committed to his mission, even as others lose hope. “It is by the grace of God that you find a diamond,” Daniel says. “We are just dreaming, really. We still have that hope.”
Impact of Artisanal Mining
Mining in African nations has been predominantly male, limiting women’s empowerment and economic opportunities. To combat gender inequality, women across Africa participate in artisanal diamond mining. The internal migration of young women and mothers from the north to the south is linked to the growth of artisanal mining initiatives. Women provide for their families through remittances and improve gender relations within family units.
Artisanal mining is an informal, small-scale mining practice. Among small-scale miners, poverty is a critical issue due to unlicensed operations (more than 80%), limited access to formal credit and banking, health hazards and the stalling of local development. The initiative planetGOLD Ghana aims to empower miners with greener, safer, more inclusive livelihoods. The project’s outreach programs educated more than 3,500 students and staff on mercury risks in mining communities, supporting more than 55,000 men and 45,000 women in five districts in Ghana.
Ghanaian artisanal mines employ more than 1 million people, 50-75% of whom are women. Women work as processors, ore carriers, panners and operators, making mining one of the few pathways available to them to achieve financial freedom. Women choose artisanal mining to improve their well-being and quality of life, as their patriarchal society dictates their possibilities. They gain management and decision-making skills, which align with their personal motivations to create a new life for themselves, free to earn a fair wage and live autonomously.
Women Miners in Ghana
Women in Mining Ghana is an initiative founded in 2015 that advocates for women across Ghana’s mining sector. The organization operates in all 16 regions of the country and partners with more than 1,500 members from government, industry and academia. Through networking, research, mentorship and professional development, its primary goal is to reduce gender barriers and increase women’s representation in mining leadership and technical careers.
One of its flagship initiatives, Technical Skills for Remunerative Jobs in the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) Sector, recognizes women’s lack of access to technical training and seeks to help women advance and change the narrative. The program sponsors young women to study heavy equipment operation, occupational health and safety and mining practices at the Institute of Mines & Environmental Safety and the Professional College of Mine and Safety. Graduates gain industry-recognized technical qualifications that expand their access to skilled, higher-paying positions traditionally held by men.
The women who enrolled proved they are equally capable of excelling alongside their male counterparts. Mabel Oteng, a young mother from Nkatieso, once believed mining was meant for men. After joining the project, her mindset shifted. Oteng said: “Growing up, I always dreamed of driving heavy-duty trucks like dump trucks. This project gave me the perfect opportunity by equipping me with the knowledge and skills to pursue my dream job.”
Ensuring Ethical Diamond Mining
GemFair, an initiative developed by the De Beers Group, practices ethical diamond mining by sourcing diamonds directly from artisanal and small-scale mines in Sierra Leone, where abject poverty affects more than 60% of the population, resulting in “debt bondage” complications for many.
Using technology and provenance tracking, GemFair creates a digital trail that traces every diamond from its specific mine of origin. Fair financing is also central to the initiative’s mission, offering transparent valuation and ensuring safe, fair and immediate payout. GemFair follows a strict assurance standard program, safeguarding human rights and proper working conditions.
GemFair’s program encompasses 499 participating mine sites and supports more than 7,500 miners. The initiative has conducted 1,102 assessments at mine sites, provided classroom and on-site training to 610 individuals and distributed personal protective equipment to 128 mine sites. It has also helped miners obtain 91 mining licenses, welcomed 55 miners into its financing program and created 325 full-time jobs through transparent financing practices. Notably, 36% of the financed mine sites are repurposed for agriculture or reforestation after mining activities, illustrating how ethical sourcing can enhance worker safety, strengthen livelihoods and reduce the environmental impact of artisanal diamond mining.
Looking Ahead
Through initiatives and projects dedicated to advancing ethical and inclusive diamond mining in Africa, the narrative surrounding the industry will begin to change as the priority shifts toward the people who participate in mining. Ensuring their safety and access to opportunities, individuals and families across Africa will reclaim dignity despite centuries of conflict and find meaning in curating stones that are culturally and personally significant.
– Elora Gunn
Elora is based in Louisville, KY, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Flickr