Zimbabwe Plans Gem Sale From Field Said to Fund Mugabe

Diamonds from Zimbabwe’s Marange fields will be sold in Antwerp after the European Union lifted sanctions even as rights groups allege abuses at the mines and say revenue has financed President Robert Mugabe’s ruling party.

While a date has yet to be confirmed, the sale may take place before Dec. 20 or alternatively in January, according to the Antwerp World Diamond Centre. It will be for at least 500,000 carats, said a spokeswoman for the AWDC who asked not to be identified in line with the group’s policy.