Zimbabwe court allows firm to return to diamond fields after government ban (Reuters U.S. – March 1, 2016)

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A Zimbabwean court has allowed the largest diamond mine in the Marange fields to return and assume control of all assets after challenging government’s decision to stop mining operations.

Zimbabwe’s mines minister on Feb. 22 ordered all nine companies operating in the diamond fields in the east of the southern African country near Mozambique to stop mining and leave because their license had expired.

Mbada Diamonds, a 50/50 venture between the government and Mauritius-registered Grandwell Holdings, on Monday won a reprieve from the High Court, which ruled that Mbada should have full control of its assets.

In the interim judgment seen by Reuters on Tuesday, the ministry of mines was ordered to let Mbada’s security personnel have access to the company’s mining site in Marange.

“As a contingency plan pending the hearing of this matter … (minister of mines) shall allow such security personnel full access to all the relevant premises thereat, including residential premises, full access to all the equipment, diamond ore and any other assets,” Judge Joseph Mafusire said.

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