ABOUT DEBSWANA

Debswana Diamond Company (Pty) Ltd is amongst the world’s leading producers of diamonds, and was established as a 50/50 partnership between the Government of the Republic of Botswana and De Beers Group of Companies.

The company was incorporated on 23rd June 1969 under the original name of De Beers Botswana Mining Company (Proprietary) Limited. The name of the company was subsequently changed to Debswana Diamond Company (Proprietary) Limited on 25th March 1992.

The main business of Debswana is diamond mining and associated processes. Debswana operates the Orapa, Letlhakane, Jwaneng and Damtshaa Mines. Through these mines, Debswana has contributed enormously to the economic growth of Botswana through diamond revenue and has transformed Botswana from an agriculturally based economy in the 1960s to a country that has consistently displayed one of the highest economic growth rates in the world.​

About Orapa Mine

About Orapa Mine

Orapa is a conventional open pit mine, situated 240km west of Francistown. The mine was discovered in 1967 by a team of De Beers geologists led by Manfred Marx. It became fully operational in July 1971 when it was officially opened by the then President of Botswana, His Excellency Sir Seretse Khama.​​

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About Letlhakane Mine

About Letlhakane Mine

Letlhakane Mine is situated 50km from Debswana’s Orapa operation and 190 km west of Francistown, in Central Botswana. The mine, which was first discovered during the sampling and evaluation process at Orapa, became Debswana’s second mine when it opened in 1975.​​


 

About Jwaneng Mine

About Jwaneng Mine

The Jwaneng pipe was discovered near the Naledi River Valley (‘Valley of the Star’), Southern Botswana, in 1972. The mine became fully operational in August 1982, when it was officially opened by the then President of Botswana, His Excellency Sir Ketumile Masire.​​


About Damtshaa Mine

About Damtshaa Mine

Damtshaa Mine was officially opened on 25th October 2003 by the then Vice President of Botswana Lt. General Seretse Khama Ian Khama. Commissioning of Damtshaa Mine was carried out in the fourth quarter of 2002, with the first head feed load recorded on 28th October 2002.​


Milestones