International Activities

Mapping and Monitoring of Conflict Diamonds

Since 2007, the Eastern Geology and Paleoclimate Science Center (EGPSC) of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has been supporting the efforts of the U.S. Department of State (DoS), the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Kimberley Process (KP) to stem the flow of conflict diamonds into the international market. The EGPSC provides technical assistance by using satellite and aerial imagery to map and monitor small-scale diamond mining activities in western and central Africa. This imagery is paired with on-the-ground field data collection and digital terrain modeling to achieve a comprehensive and detailed understanding of the geologic, social, and economic contexts of mining. This work focuses on assessing changes and identifying trends in the informal small-scale diamond mining sector over time, with the overarching goal of preventing diamonds from being used to fund conflicts against legitimate governments. contact: Peter G. Chirico