The architecture of opacity: Zimbabwe diamond industry’s lessons on critical mineral supply chains

Zimbabwe's Marange diamond sector has been deliberately structured to be opaque, a strategy that appears to serve the interests of regime preservation and the enrichment of a select group. This approach to managing the diamond industry highlights a broader trend in critical mineral supply chains where opacity can be a tool for political and economic control. The case of Marange suggests that understanding the governance and operational frameworks of these vital resource sectors is crucial for assessing their broader implications.

This situation is significant as it illustrates how resource wealth in critical minerals can be managed in ways that benefit ruling elites, potentially impacting global supply chains and international development efforts.