Gaborone: The Anglo American Group Foundation has given a three-year contribution to support the Diamond Development Initiative’s efforts to promote responsible sourcing and improve the lives of local miners and their families in Africa.

Anglo’s funding will allow DDI to carry out its primary functions, including the registration of artisanal miners, the implementation of the Development Diamond Standards at mining sites and the providing of development support such as clean water and education to communities in need.

“We salute Anglo American for their vision and generosity,” DDI Board Chair Ian Smillie said. “They have proven themselves to be a leader in our effort to make diamonds a driver of development.”

DDI, founded in 2007, is a nonprofit charitable organization working to improve the lives of Africa’s 1.5 million artisanal diamond diggers and their families.