Zimbabwe mining minister invites firms to explore diamonds

Zimbabwe's Minister of Mines Winston Chitando speaks at a mining investment conference in Harare, Zimbabwe. [Photo: Reuters]

HARARE/LONDON - De Beers and Vast Resources will be allowed to explore for diamonds in Zimbabwe, which would make them the first listed companies to mine there in that sector for two years, Mining Minister Winston Chitando said.

A spokesman for De Beers, an Anglo American unit, said in an email it was not mining in Zimbabwe and did not intend to. Vast Resources said it could not comment.