The vast continent of Africa is known for its pockets filled with diamonds. Zimbabwe too is gradually coming into light for its huge diamond industry. In order to raise awareness and seek insights into the Zimbabwe diamond industry’s critical issues a Pan African conference was held at Victoria Falls, Zimbave on 12th and 13th November 2012. %% More than 350 registrants filled the Kalala conference hall at the Elephant Hills Hotel to full capacity. The conference, organised by the Zimbabwe ministry of Mines and Mining Development, featured a sophisticated panel of Pan African government representatives, the chair of the Kimberley Process along with players in the international diamond industry. President Robert Mugabe’s government sponsored the Zimbabwe Diamond Conference, which culminated day before yesterday. %% The conference was held to emphasise on Zimbabwe's diamond mining and to relieve the widely held concerns of corruption and looting of the gems. %% Delegates spoke of the superlative potential of Zimbabwe as a diamond producer. It is said that Zimbabwe has the capacity to produce between 110 million to 160 million carats of diamonds annually, making it one of the top five diamond producers by volume in the world. But where the funds were being utilized was the biggest question. %% But, the Mugabe government seemed apathetic towards providing clarity on the volume that is mined or earned at the country's eastern Marange diamond fields. Mines Minister Obert Mpofu also shelved calls for transparency. %% "How then are you expected to be transparent when there are hyenas chasing you?" said Mpofu to conference delegates, referring to diamond watchdog groups. "They want to know what car you drive, which house you are living in and what plane you are flying." %% A Canadian group politicking against conflict diamonds known as Partnership Africa Canada released a report alleging Mpofu with possession of cumulative illegal wealth through illicit diamond deals. This report was revealed at the onset of the conference. %% Mpofu denied the accusations and dismissed the report as being funded by the Canadian government to ‘vilify and lie’ about Zimbabwe. %% With the large volumes of diamond sales taking place, the funds cold have bettered the battered economy of Zimbabwe but the county remains in shackles. %% The conference focused on resolving the unresolved hindrances that currently continue to restrict the free flow of rough diamonds from Zimbabwe into the downstream markets. %%