Jwaneng
2021: TONNES MINED 107, 012, 000
2021: TONNES TREATED 12, 058, 000
2021: CARATS RECOVERED 12, 839, 000
The Jwaneng pipe was discovered in the Naledi River Valley ('Valley of the Stars'), Southern Botswana, in 1972.
Prince of Mines
Jwaneng Mine which is under the Anglo American
portfolio operated by Debswana, De Beers (Anglo American: 85% interest), in
partnership with the Government of the Republic of Botswana is one of the
richest diamond mines in the world. The mine became fully operational in August
1982, when it was officially opened by the then President of Botswana, His
Excellency Sir Ketumile Masire. Construction of the mine and the township
commenced rapidly, the former coming into full production in July 1982.
Jwaneng Mine is the flagship of Debswana due to substantially higher dollar per carat obtained for its gems. Jwaneng Mine contributes about 60-70% of Debswana’s total revenue.
Production
Currently Jwaneng is mining at a depth of 452
metres and is expected to reach 816 metres by 2034.
The resource consists of three separate volcanic
pipes/vents namely; north, south and centre pipes (two additional small
kimberlite bodies have also been intersected within the pit). The pipes erupted
through Transvaal strata and the overlying Karoo sediments ~245 million years
ago.
Production normally varies according to mining
plans of approximately 12.7 million carats from 11.2Mt treated per year from
the Main Treatment plant and Jwaneng Modular plant combined. In 2020, Jwaneng produced
7,537,911 total saleable carats. Carats production was reduced from the normal
12,7million carats in response to covid-19 pandemic that affected the mining
sector worldwide. Despite this impact, Jwaneng Mine continues to produce very
high quality diamonds, making the mine one of the richest diamond mine in the
world, by value.
Safety and Conservation
In addition to achieving its annual production targets, Jwaneng Mine maintains an excellent safety record. Since 1984, the Mine has achieved one of the lowest disabling injury incident rates in Botswana. This year, the Mine underwent an external OHSAS/ISO audit and the Auditors recommended re-certification.
Within the boundaries of the Jwaneng mining lease area, there is Jwana Game Park, which measures 15 669 hectares and accommodates approximately 1 700 animals. The park also hosts a field unit of Cheetah Conservation Botswana, as well as white rhinos.
Projects
Letlhakane Mine Tailings Resource Treatment Project (LMTRTP)
The project aims to deliver sustained and profitable operations at Letlhakane Mine post current mining. The plant will provide specifically designed mining and treatment solution to ensure optimal economic recovery of the Letlhakane coarse tailings mineral resource, thereby extending the Life of Mine by 20 years.
The project commenced in quarter 1 of 2015 and commisioning is expected in the thrid quarter of 2017.
Jwaneng Resource Expansion Project
The scope of the Jwaneng Resource Extension Project (JREP) involves the delivery of an indicated resource estimate down to 850m below surface, which will then support mining operations for the next 20 years including all key expansion activities such as the Cut 8 and Cut 9 projects.
The Jwaneng mine Aquarium plant is the first of its kind in the diamond mining industry. It has the completely automated recovery plant (CARP) and the fully integrated sort house (FISH).