The document discusses the distribution and agencies that deal with diamonds globally. It notes that the production and distribution of diamonds is largely controlled by a few major players like De Beers and ALROSA. It also outlines some of the top diamond mining companies in the world and their annual revenues. Additionally, it covers the economic significance of diamonds as a major employer and source of revenue for some countries, as well as trends in global diamond exports and imports from 2011 to 2015.

1. DIAMOND
By,
Pratiksha Gogoi
10 A

2. Distribution And Agencies
Exploring Diamonds
Distribution:
The production and distribution of diamonds is largely consolidated in the hands of a few key players, and
concentrated in traditional diamond trading centers, the most important being Antwerp, where 80% of all rough
diamonds, 50% of all cut diamonds and more than 50% of all rough, cut and industrial diamonds combined are
handled.
Agencies Exploring Diamonds:
1.De Beers: The 125-year-old diamond institution with $6.1 billion in revenues in 2012
2. ALROSA: The Russian rival to De Beers with $4.4 billion in diamond revenues in 2012
3. Rio Tinto Diamonds: A multinational mine-to-market company operating in five continents with over $4 billion
in diamond revenues
4. Debswana Diamond Company Ltd.: A mining company from Botswana with $1.4 billion in revenues in 2012
5. Dominion Diamond Corporation: Operating from Toronto, Canada with $702 million in revenues in 2012

3. ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE AND EXPORT/IMPORT
Economic Significance:
The global diamond industry employs some 10 million people directly and
indirectly all over the world, including Africa. The vast majority of the
world's diamonds come from sources that use the revenues generated by
diamonds to aid their national development. Given good governance and
appropriate laws, diamonds are a vital source of revenue for building
infrastructure and essential social services such as hospitals and schools.
Export/Import:
Diamond Exports by country totaled US$121.1 billion during 2015, down
by an average -21.3% for all diamond-shipping countries over the five-
year period starting in 2011 when diamond shipments were valued at
$153.9 billion. The value of global diamond exports dipped -19.9% from
2014 to 2015.
Global purchases of Imported diamonds in 2015 totaled US$111.6 billion.
Overall, the value of diamond imports for all importing countries was
down by an average -25.3% since 2011 when diamonds purchases were
valued at $149.4 billion.

4. EXPLOITATION
Poverty
Many of the world's diamonds are mined using practices that
exploit workers, children, and communities. A million diamond
diggers in Africa earn less than a dollar a day. Miners are dying in
accidents, child labor is widespread, and corrupt leaders are
depriving diamond mining communities of funds badly needed for
economic development.
SAFETY
Besides being grossly underpaid, many diamond miners work in
extremely dangerous conditions. Small-scale diamond mining is
often conducted without training or expertise. Miners may lack
safety equipment and the proper tools. They can easily die or be
injured in landslides, mine collapses, and other accidents.
ECOLOGICAL DEVASTATION
A century of reckless diamond mining has taken a heavy toll on the
environment. Irresponsible diamond mining has caused soil
erosion, led to deforestation, and forced local populations to
relocate. Diamond miners have re-routed rivers and constructed
dams to expose riverbeds for mining, with disastrous effects on
fish and wildlife.