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welfare system, as we know in Europe, and it determined by dr Bordas in her essay, based on public law, or based on
American mixed system (public law and market) never ever existed in CAR. [45]
Diamonds
Africa is the world’s largest producer of diamonds, producing as much as 50% of global production. To date, Africa has
produced over 75%, in value, of the world’s diamonds with more than 1.9 billion carats worth an estimated $US 158
billion mined. Angola, Botswana and South Africa are leading producers of diamonds. Mining activities are focused on
South Central Africa, with diamonds being produced primarily from kimberlitic mines (South Af- rica, Angola, DRC,
Ghana, Tanzania, Lesotho and Botswana), followed by alluvial dredging operations (Angola, CAR, Namibia and South
Africa) and offshore marine diamond activi- ties (South Africa and Namibia). [17: 6]
Most of West Africa’s diamond production in the area originates from fluviatile placers and only on a minor scale
from eluvial deposits or from altered kimberlitic pipes. Virtually all mines are relatively small–scale operations mainly
run by artisanal miners, except for the Akwatia mine in Ghana and the Aredor project in Guinea. [18] (The Figure 3
representing the mineral resources of CAR.)
Figure 3. Mineral resources of CAR. [19]
In most cases, the primary sources of these alluvial diamonds have not been traced yet, therefore making CAR an
attractive exploration target. Officially, diamonds have contrib- uted 60% to the nations export earnings. CAR is one of
Africa’s major diamond producers, although production is almost entirely produced by artisanal methods. CAR is well
known for its good quality diamonds, ranked 5
th
in the world in terms of quality.
Diamonds were discovered in the early 1900’s and production did increase to a maximum total of about 600,000 ct per
year. It has subsequently dropped due to lack of control of the
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diamond industry. CAR produces an estimated 620,000 ct each year. Some commercial min-
ing and exploration of alluvial deposits has begun, albeit with difficulties.
The Boungou River is the largest tributary of the Kotto River, which is the eastern CAR’s largest river. The Boungou
River and its tributaries account for some 25% of CAR’s total pro- duction, with most production being sourced from three
main alluvial prospects: the Djourou, Aigbando and Trouapou–Boungou prospects that are currently being exploited by
artisanal miners. Canadian Junior Vaaldiam Resources has begun evaluating this region, and is located approximately 80
km northwest of the town of Bria.
United Reef (CAR) has two exploration permits for diamonds. The permits include two alluvial deposits. Howe
Centafrique has several alluvial projects in CAR, including the Ma- bala mine, which has reported declining grades.
Diamond Work’s Central African Mining SARL (CAMCO) claims to have the country’s largest ground holding with 6
licenses in the northeast that total 11,600 km
2
. Camco intends focusing on the Ouandjia and Nzako permits in the second
half of 2001. Similarly, its diamond buying subsidiary CADCO (Central Afri- can Diamond Company) will resume
operations in CAR. [19]
Gold
Axmin Inc. of Canada continues to explore for gold in the country. A pre–feasibility study for the Passendro Gold Project
was completed by GBM Gold Ltd. of the United Kingdom in ear- ly 2006. It was followed by a feasibility study conducted
by Senet (pty) Ltd. of South Africa, commissioned during the third quarter of 2006. The pre–feasibility study had
envisioned an open pit operation with a gravity carbon–in–leach processing plant that would process about
3 million metric tons per year (Mt/yr) of ore with production estimated to be about 6,200 kilograms per year (kg/yr) of
gold (reported as 200,000 troy ounces).
Other companies exploring for gold in the country included Prospero Minerals Corp. (formerly Corumel Minerals
Corp., before 2006), and Tamija Gold & Diamond Exploration Inc. of the United States, and London–based Pan–African
Resources Plc.
Illegal diamond and gold trade
The illegal mining and smuggling of diamond and gold has always been present in CAR.
However the creation of Seleka was a turning point for this illegal activity.
Seleka rebels have for several years controlled some of the diamond–producing areas in the north of CAR,
allowing them to have ample financial resources for better weaponry. Even more worrisome, the Seleka members are
― according to several people who fled Sangba ― being aided by armed fighters from neighbouring Sudan known as the
Janjaweed, (government backed militia) who were accused of committing atrocities against civilians and responsible
for ethnic cleansing in Darfur. Sudan, and whose leader is wanted by the International Criminal Court, needless to say
they are not part of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.
Observers fear many of Central African Republic’s illicit diamonds are being funnelled into Sudan. [20] There are
several examples that can be quoted where these very same rebel groups are allured by the country’s mineral wealth. In
September 2011, for example, the Convention des Patriotes pour la Justice et la Paix (CPJP) clashed with the Union des
Forc-