Source:
Business & Human Rights Resource Centre Story August 2025.
Rights groups in Zimbabwe have renewed calls for accountability over alleged human rights abuses linked to Chinese-linked diamond mining operations in the Marange fields. These allegations include forced displacements, harassment of local residents, and environmental degradation associated with mining activities. The controversy has intensified following the recent arrests of several community leaders who had been vocal in challenging the conduct of mining companies and advocating for greater transparency in revenue distribution.
The Marange diamond fields, once heralded as a transformative economic opportunity for Zimbabwe, have long been a source of contention between local communities, the government, and foreign investors. Civil society organizations argue that despite the significant value extracted, local residents have seen little tangible improvement in infrastructure, employment, or public services. The arrests of community figures have been interpreted by advocacy groups as an attempt to stifle dissent, further straining relations between residents, companies, and authorities.
This development matters because unresolved grievances undermine the social license to operate in one of the world’s most high-profile diamond-producing regions. Without credible mechanisms for community participation, equitable benefit-sharing, and independent oversight, mining projects risk not only reputational damage but also operational disruptions driven by community resistance. The Marange case underscores the broader challenge facing resource-rich countries: translating mineral wealth into shared prosperity while respecting the rights and voices of those most directly affected by extraction.