Historic Diamond Fields & Mines in Zimbabwe

Marange/Chiadzwa — Alluvial–Conglomerate Field (Manicaland)

Large, near-surface diamondiferous conglomerates and reworked gravels in the Marange/Chiadzwa area were brought to light in the mid-2000s after artisanal rushes revealed widespread occurrences along the Odzi–Save (Sabi) river system. Subsequent state regulation and industrialization consolidated much of the field under the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) and various joint ventures. The deposit style (cemented basal conglomerates with reworked eluvial/alluvial mantles) yields abundant smaller goods with intermittent large rough recoveries. Sources: Wikipedia – Marange diamond fields · GIA – Diamond Sources in Africa (overview).

Murowa — Kimberlite Pipes (Midlands Province, near Zvishavane)

Murowa is Zimbabwe’s principal modern kimberlite operation and has produced since the early 2000s via open-pit mining of multiple small pipes and blows. Ownership evolved from Rio Tinto to local operators (RZM Murowa), with plant upgrades and pit expansions sustaining output. Production skews to smaller, high-clarity near-gem goods with occasional fancy colors. Sources: Wikipedia – Murowa Diamonds · Company/operator releases (plant upgrades, mine plans).

River Ranch — Kimberlite Mine (Matabeleland South, near Beitbridge)

Commissioned in the 1990s on a single pipe close to the Limpopo border, River Ranch saw intermittent operations and ownership changes through the 2000s. While historically significant as one of Zimbabwe’s early kimberlite producers outside Murowa, the site has mostly been inactive in recent years. Sources: Wikipedia – River Ranch Diamond Mine · Trade/press archives on operational status.

Other Prospects & Districts

Reconnaissance and junior-led programs have tested additional kimberlite targets and indicator-mineral trains across parts of Midlands, Masvingo, and Matabeleland provinces (e.g., Sese area and related targets). Many remain at desktop, sampling, or early drill-testing stages with limited public results. Sources: Provincial geology summaries; company exploration notes.

Production Today

Zimbabwe’s output is dominated by Marange/Chiadzwa operations, with Murowa contributing steady kimberlite production. Volumes have fluctuated with policy shifts, consolidation under ZCDC (2016 onward), and market conditions. Kimberley Process statistics provide year-by-year totals and trade flows for Zimbabwe. Source: Kimberley Process – Annual statistics.

Zimbabwe’s Notable Diamonds

Large Marange Roughs (unnamed)

Tender reports from the late-2000s through the 2010s reference periodic large rough crystals (100–300+ ct) from the Marange field, typically marketed without enduring names. Material ranges from coated/brownish stones to cleaner goods after processing. Sources: Marange production & sales notes · Trade press on tenders.

Murowa Fancy/High-Clarity Stones (representative, unnamed)

Although Murowa is best known for smaller, high-quality run-of-mine goods, occasional fancy-color and high-clarity stones are documented in sales releases and industry reporting, but few have acquired formal names. Sources: Wikipedia – Murowa Diamonds · Company/trade disclosures.

Summary

Zimbabwe’s diamond narrative is anchored by the Marange/Chiadzwa alluvial–conglomerate province and complemented by primary kimberlite mining at Murowa (with River Ranch as an earlier chapter). Output has ebbed and flowed with sector reforms and market cycles, while notable stones are more often reported as large, unnamed roughs than as individually celebrated gems.

Datasets: U.S. Geological Survey, Major Mineral Deposits of the World, Open-File Report 2005-1294. Data portal