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A diamond industry watchdog has released a new video addressing the ‘unspoken realities’ of mining in some of the world’s poorest countries. | Source: Kimberley Process Civil Society Coalition

Activist releases video highlighting alleged diamond mining controversy

Posted April 28, 2025 | By Samuel Ord

A diamond industry activist has released a new video addressing the alleged ‘unspoken realities’ of mining in some of the world’s poorest countries.

The Kimberley Process Civil Society Coalition (KPCSC) is an organisation acting as an observer of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.

The KPCSC has been a vocal critic of the diamond industry in recent years, accusing the Kimberley Process of failing to address violence and human rights abuses surrounding the diamond trade.

The organisation has released ‘Diamonds – Beyond Shining Illusions’ – a 17-minute video featuring interviews with artisanal miners in Sierra Leone, Lesotho, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

"Beyond Shining Illusions gives a voice to local residents and artisanal miners directly affected by large-scale diamond mining operations."

“The claim that 99 per cent of diamonds are now conflict-free eclipses persistent and systemic challenges on the ground,” the organisation said.

“Beyond Shining Illusions gives a voice to local residents and artisanal miners directly affected by large-scale diamond mining operations.

“In their testimonies, they share ongoing struggles, highlighting cases of violence by security forces protecting mining operations, air and water pollution due to blasting and tailings management practices, and an overall lack of socio-economic benefits.”

The KPCSC has also repeatedly called for a change to the definition of ‘conflict diamonds’, joining a chorus of critics who argue that the term is too narrow to impact the trade meaningfully.