Sierra Leone may restart diamond exports next week

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone (Reuters) -- Sierra Leone has taken delivery of specially printed certificates for authorized diamond exports and exports could restart next week, mining ministry sources said on Wednesday.

Mineral Resources Minister Mohamed Deen told Reuters the certificates, printed in Britain, had arrived on Monday, but the ban would not be lifted until next week.

This would give Belgian diamond experts time to set up an electronic data and communications system able to monitor the sale of diamonds in trading centers round the world, he said.

The government banned diamond exports in mid-July to back up efforts by the United Nations and world diamond traders to stem the illegal sale of gems by Sierra Leone's rebel Revolutionary United Front (RUF).

The RUF is accused of using diamonds mined illegally in areas under its control to fund its rebellion.

Internal trade in diamonds was not covered by the ban but legal trading has slowed considerably and dealers said this week they were looking forward to the resumption of normal business now that the certification process was ready to start.

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