5 The fact that the period 2001-2003 was prior to any significant movement in the pre-crush price which was only US$12 per carat - may also have been a consideration. According to HRW, “After Kimberlitic Searches ended its operations, a United Kingdom-registered company, African Consolidated Resources (ACR), through its four Zimbabwean subsidiaries, registered exploration claims over Marange diamond fields with the relevant authorities. The claims gave ACR exclusive rights to explore and search for diamonds and other precious stones in Marange district.” In June 2006, when ACR discovered diamonds, known locally as ngoda, in Marange, they declared the find, as required by law through the Stock Exchange, and to the Zimbabwe government. They also appealed for assistance to control villagers who had started digging in the area. 15 Instead, in an apparent attempt to get political mileage, the ZANU PF government declared the fields open to anyone wishing to look for diamonds. This resulted in a chaotic diamond rush which continued through September, while smuggling ran rampant. “It was estimated that between 15,000 and 20,000 illegal artisanal miners were working the land and illegally selling their diamond finds to dealers outside the country.” 16 On July 21, 2006, ACR was told by the assistant mining commissioner that its claims had been ‘invalidated’ because De Beers had submitted an application for an extension. Then, on September 19, the Mining Commissioner confirmed the validity of their claims. “After that, ACR started extensive infrastructural development and exploration activities, including sample collection and preparations for fencing an extensive area to protect it from illegal miners and rampant theft of diamonds.” 17 On September 28, 2006, the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) visited the area with ACR officials and police to address illegal miners. The same day, the police apprehended ACR officials and seized their diamond samples. These were later returned. 18 On October 2, 2006, ACR was warned to cease all fencing and clearing activities on their claims. The previous day, the MMCZ had been given a special grant that purportedly gave it the right over the claims. 19 15 SW Radio Africa, ‘ACR CEO Andrew Cranswick on history of Chiadzwa diamonds, 26 March 2010: http://www.swradioafrica.com/pages/hotseat300310.htm 16 Rapaport, ‘Background: Zimbabwe’s Marange Diamonds’, 2009: http://www.diamonds.net/fairtrade/Zimbabwe/Background.aspx 17 The Zimbabwe Independent, ‘British firm locked in diamonds war’, 11 December, 2009: http://www.newzimbabwe.com/pages/mines12.14845.html 18 The Zimbabwe Independent, ‘British firm locked in diamonds war’, 11 December, 2009: http://www.newzimbabwe.com/pages/mines12.14845.html 19 The Zimbabwe Independent, ‘British firm locked in diamonds war’, 11 December, 2009: http://www.newzimbabwe.com/pages/mines12.14845.html