Conflict “Blood” Diamonds by Jake Meystel and Alexis Richardson Period 5

What are Conflict Diamonds? Diamonds sold or traded to help fund efforts by opposition forces to undermine or overthrow existing, legally recognized governments. Have financed wars in countries such as Sierra leone, angola, the democratic republic of congo, and liberia. Took place during 1991-2001 civil war in sierra leone.

How many conflict diamonds are harvested and sold? Where? In the 1990's rough diamonds accounted for the majority of Sierra Leones diamond trade. Earning a RUF of millions/year. Total annual earnings estimated to about $100-200 million. The congo's diamond export grew to $2 billion.

How they are mined? Who mined them? Some miners mine the diamonds themselves. Need to be a state licensed miner to mine. Some ways that the diamonds are mined are by large machinery or hand held pans.

Where does the money from Conflict Diamonds go? The Money From Conflict Diamonds is used to fund Weapons and Warfare One of the Most Well known instances of a civil War being funded by conflict diamonds is the civil war in Sierra Leone

What are the effects of Conflict Diamonds on Dictators, Wars, Natives, Environment, etc....? The diamonds fund wars, which can change people's lifestyles New government systems from the wars can be put in place People who mine these diamonds are affected by the conditions of their work What happens when the diamonds run out?......

What steps have been taken to stop conflict diamonds and how effective have they been? One of the essential steps taken is the regulation of diamond imports It's hard to keep track of where diamonds come from One step was the Kimberley Process, which was designed to make it so diamonds needed certification that they were not mined illegally for use of funding war In some countries where governments are weak, it is nearly impossible to regulate the exporting of diamonds countries importing diamonds might have no idea where their diamonds are coming from The United States will not put any embargos on diamonds Lack of embargo in US discourages countries from doing so