STRATFOR sources involved in mining operations in Zimbabwe report that Zimbabwean Mines and Mining Development Minister Obert Mpofu's recent announcement banning diamond exports from his country is part of a complex political game designed to open up diamond exports from the Marange diamond fields. Diamonds from Marange, also known as Chiadzwa, are currently banned on the international market due to Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) monitors' accusations that Zimbabwean security forces employ the use of violence and other human rights abuses to effect government control of the fields. Zimbabwe is a party to the KPCS, an international regulatory body composed of 49 members (representing 75 countries) that seeks to ensure "conflict diamonds" do not enter the market, but its Marange fields are not KPCS-compliant. Other diamond mines in the country are, however, meaning these mines face no international sanctions. Most notable in this category are diamond fields owned by Australian mining company Rio Tinto, which operates in the country through its subsidiary Murowa, and a mining complex known as River Ranch, which is partially owned by former Zimbabwean army commander Solomon Mujuru. Mujuru is also husband to Vice President Joice Mujuru, and together, the Mujurus form one of the most powerful factions of the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) party. Mpofu specifically called out Rio Tinto's and Mujuru's mines as being included in the freeze and said the total ban would only be lifted once KPCS parties reverse their policy on Marange. The specific mention of these mines indicates that elements within ZANU-PF seek to pressure Rio Tinto, one of the world's largest mining companies, to bring its influence to bear on other KPCS members to ease up on Harare. It also demonstrates that the Mujurus have rivals within the party. The announcement occurred in concert with a visit to the country by the KPCS monitor for Zimbabwe, Abbey Chikane. Though Chikane did announce May 27 that he intends to recommend in his next report to KPCS members that Marange be allowed to resume its diamond exports, this will likely have to wait until June 21, when the next group meeting is held in Tel Aviv.