For the first time, a parcel of fully traceable artisanal diamonds from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been sold to international buyers, marking an important step towards greater transparency and inclusivity in the diamond supply chain.
The sale took place in Antwerp, where a 103.77-carat parcel of rough diamonds sourced from the Kasai region was presented through a public tender. The diamonds were tracked from mine to market under a traceability initiative designed to connect artisanal mining communities with global trading networks.
The parcel originated from the Kamana Ndeke mine and was produced by the COMIDIANZ cooperative, one of six mining cooperatives participating in the programme across the Kasai and Kasai-Central provinces. The initiative aims to improve market access for artisanal miners, many of whom have traditionally struggled to secure fair value for their production due to limited access to international buyers.
Beyond traceability, the programme focuses on strengthening mining communities through training and operational improvements. Hundreds of miners have received guidance on safer and more sustainable mining practices, while participating sites have adopted measures to enhance productivity and working conditions.
Artisanal diamond mining remains a vital source of income for millions of people in the DRC, a country that contributes a significant share of the world's artisanal diamond output. By creating a transparent pathway from mine to market, the initiative seeks to ensure greater recognition and value for responsibly sourced diamonds while supporting the long-term development of local mining communities.
The successful sale represents a notable milestone in efforts to bring greater accountability, traceability and economic opportunity to the artisanal diamond sector.
