From "blood diamonds" to possible IPO, Sierra Leone diamond mine provides jobs for locals

Heavy equipment is used at the 'No. 1 Pipe' at Koidu Holdings' kimberlite diamond mine in eastern Sierra Leone, March 2, 2012. Sierra Leone's only pit diamond mine has come far from its origins as wartime booty presented to mercenaries by a grateful military junta. Seventeen years and several changes of ownership later, Koidu Holdings is selling gems in outlets such as U.S. jeweller Tiffany & Co. and considering a possible public listing, which could raise hundreds of millions of dollars to fund expansion.

Artisanal diamond miners work at Tumbodu, north of the town of Koidu in eastern Sierra Leone, March 3. Low technology artisanal mining goes on alongside Koidu Holdings' kimberlite operation in Kono District.

Rough diamonds worth around US$10,000 sit on a sheet of doodled paper in the office of a Lebanese gem dealer in the town of Koidu in eastern Sierra Leone, March 2, 2012.