THE Zimbabwe security forces are running illegal mining camps in the country’s Marange diamond fields where civilians are beaten and forced into intensive labour, the BBC has reported.

IRISH mining company African Diamonds has been bought out by its Canadian counterpart, Lucara, for around €58.5 million.

A new agreement allowing Zimbabwe to sell its controversial diamonds was met with caution by rights groups who documented violations and killings in the country’s diamond mines.

Zimbabwe promised to withdraw its soldiers from diamond fields in the east, an official newspaper reported – a week after a rights group alleged the military was committing killings and abuses in the area.