Zimbabwe on Wednesday cashed in US$72 million from the sale of the first batch of 900 000 carats of diamonds from the controversial Marange Diamond Fields, in the eastern part of the country.

The diamonds where sold after Zimbabwe fulfilled minimum requirements under the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.

The Kimberley Process (KP) is an international body set up to root out trade in “blood diamonds” -diamonds that bankroll conflict.

Kimberley last month ruled that Zimbabwe had ceased abuses by the military, which seized control of the Marange fields in late 2008. Despite the lifting of the ban, human rights groups, both local and international, still insist that the gems are “blood diamonds”.

Buyers came from as far as India,Lebanon, the US, Israel and Russia.

Officially opening the sale acting President John Nkomo said the Government is committed to the KP.

“Since the middle of last year, the country went through several stages in its quest to satisfy the KP minimum requirements. As Government, we remained committed to the scheme as a founding participant to the KP.

“Government clearly understands the purpose of the institution and embracesits ideals. However, it is critical that a non-partisan approach is followed in the execution of these ideals to ensure efficiency, effectiveness and fairnessin the KP,” he said.

Nkomo said Zimbabwe fully supports transparency in diamond trade.

“Today’s ceremony is a symbol of our great resolve as a nation to succeed. Although it took us long to be where we are today, we will not tire to do theright things in the eyes of our people and the international community.”

” These diamonds should benefit the people of Zimbabwe and it is ourshared and collective responsibility as Zimbabweans to guard this resource jealously,” said Nkomo.

While welcoming the sale of the stones, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai cautionedagainst overstating Zimbabwe’s diamond wealth.

“I’ve heard and read of billions of dollars coming from today’s sales. Please let’s be realistic. Let’s not createhigh expectations for our people,” said the premier.

However, Mines and Mining Development Minister Obert Mpofu to a swip at countries and organisations that opposed Zimbabwe’s right to export its diamonds from Marange.

“When there was chaos in Marange, Zimbabwe was not an issue Some of the people making noise benefited fromthat chaos.

“We have heard noises from people calling themselves NGOs in the US and Canada and some of them are here not to witness certification, but faults. We welcome them because we have nothing to hide,” he said.

From the sale of the gems, Governmentstands to get 10 percent as royalties, the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe gets 0,875 percent while ZMDC gets 2,5 percent proceeds from the sales for future explorations.

ZMDC and the joint venture partners would get 2,5 and 5 percent each inmanagement fees.

The remaining 79,125 percent would cover production costs based on an agreed formula while the balance would go to Government through the ZMDC and its investment partners.