In a landmark development for the diamond industry, a parcel of fully traceable artisanal rough diamonds from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been sold internationally for the first time, highlighting growing efforts to strengthen responsible sourcing and improve market opportunities for artisanal mining communities.

The 103.77-carat parcel, sourced from the Kasai region, was presented through a public tender in Antwerp organised by Bonas-Couzyn under the OrigemA project. The initiative was launched in 2022 through a collaboration between the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC), the DRC Ministry of Mines, NGO Resolve, and technology partner Everledger, with support from Belgium’s Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs.

The OrigemA programme currently works with six mining cooperatives across the Kasai and Kasai-Central provinces, supporting an ecosystem that provides livelihoods to nearly three million people. The inaugural parcel, valued at approximately US$6,000, originated from the Kamana Ndeke mine and was produced by the COMIDIANZ cooperative.

According to Karen Rentmeesters, CEO of AWDC, the initiative was designed to tackle longstanding barriers faced by artisanal miners in the DRC. She noted that many cooperatives have historically struggled to access international buyers, often preventing them from receiving fair market value for their production.

Belgium’s Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot revealed that the country’s Peacebuilding Fund had invested €200,000 in the project. He described the Antwerp sale as a significant achievement for both the OrigemA programme and the COMIDIANZ cooperative, marking an important step in connecting artisanal producers with global markets.

Beyond market access, the project has also focused on improving mining standards. To date, around 450 miners have received training in safe and sustainable mining practices, while participating sites have benefited from initiatives aimed at enhancing productivity and operational efficiency.

With the DRC estimated to account for nearly 70% of global artisanal diamond production, programmes such as OrigemA are expected to play a vital role in strengthening transparency, supporting local communities, and creating a more inclusive and responsible diamond supply chain.