INTRODUCTION

"The diamond mines were a Godsend, and rapidly transformed the economy, increasing the revenue of the country from less than P10 million a year at Independence to over a billion today." The then Honourable Minister of Mineral Resources and Water Affairs, Mr A.M Mogwe, 1990.

Operations Debswana is a key player in the national economy of Botswana, producing in excess of 70% of Botswana's export earnings, 30% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 50% of government revenue.

Debswana Diamond Company is by far the world's largest diamond producer by value. Debswana's diamond mining operations are situated at Jwaneng, Orapa, Letlhakane and Damtshaa.

Jwaneng is the richest diamond mine in the world and is situated 170 kilometers west of the capital Gaborone. Orapa, Letlhakane and the youngest Damtshaa mines are located roughly 240 kilometers west of Francistown. The Orapa pipe is the world's second largest diamond-producing kimberlite pipe. (Geographical locations of Debswana operations)

To find out more about visiting one of the mines, please follow the link mine visits.

Sorting and valuation of the diamonds produced by these operations is undertaken at the Botswana Diamond Valuing Company (BDVC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Debswana, in Gaborone.

A landmark agreement between De Beers and the Botswana government in May 2006 will see the two long-time partners embarking on a watershed initiative that can potentially enhance the economic profile of Botswana. Diamond Trading Company Botswana, a 50/50 partnership between De Beers and the Botswana Government has been established and is expected to replace BDVC early in 2008.