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“For our people, every diamond purchase represents food on the table; better living conditions; better healthcare; potable and safe drinking water; more roads to connect our remote communities; and much more.” Festus Mogae, President of Botswana, 7 June 2006
Debswana is the largest private sector employer in Botswana, with over 5000 employees. These are mainly found on mining sites, along with just over 5000 fixed-term contractors and a small staff compliment at the Debswana Corporate Centre in Gaborone, Botswana’s capital.
These four mines have contributed significantly to the economic growth of Botswana, as well as producing revenues responsible for lifting the country from one of Africa’s least developed to an international development success story. Botswana is now a middle-income country independent in means as well as name. Diamond mining operations are located at Orapa, Letlhakane, Damtshaa (OLDM) and Jwaneng.
The search for diamonds and discovery of Orapa Mine
The search of diamonds in Botswana began in the Tuli Block in 1955. Three small alluvial diamonds were found along the Motloutse river. In 1967, between the village of Letlhakane and Mopipi Pan, a team of De Beers Geologists found abundant quantities of ilmenite and garnet – the two chief indicators of diamondiferous kimberlite. In April 1967, the pipe at Orapa was found. This was to be the largest (117 hectares) of all the kimberlite pipes which were eventually located in this area.
The Birth of Debswana
In 1969 De Beers geologists began prospecting in the southern district of Botswana. The rock formations in the southern district are generally covered by a layer of sand 20 – 50 metres thick. Prospecting operations using systematic solid sampling techniques covered the area. The pipe that was to become Jwaneng Mine was eventually found in 1972 beneath a 40-metre layer of sand and calcrete in the Naledi River Valley (‘Valley of Stars’).
The Birth of Jwaneng Mine
In May 1978 De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd and the Government of Botswana signed an agreement to establish Jwaneng Mine. Debswana is a company in which the Botswana Government and the De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd each hold a 50% share. Construction of the mine and the township commenced rapidly, the former coming into full production in July 1982. The Mine was officially opened by the then President of Botswana, His Excellency Sir Ketumile Masire in August 1982.
Shareholders Agree To Double Production
In August 1996, representatives of Botswana Government, De Beers Centenary AG and Debswana Diamond Company signed an agreement to double production at the Orapa Mine. The expansion increased Orapa Mine’s annual production of 6 million carats to 12 million carats from the No. 1 and No. 2 plants from the year 2000 and raised Debswana’s total production to about 26 million carats per year. Besides the Orapa 2000 project, the Aquarium Project, undertaken at Jwaneng Mine improved profitability. It comprises of a completely automated recovery plant and the fully integrated sort house. This project brought to an end the hand sorting of diamonds. High tech x-ray scanners used at this facility ensured quick and accurate diamond recovery and maximised profit.
Debswana First In Administering ARV’S To Employees
In May 2001, Debswana became the first company in the world to provide free Anti-Retroviral treatment to its employees. The 100% subsidy covers employees living with HIV/AIDS and their one legally married spouse. Recently, (June 2006) employees’ children up to the age of 21 who are infected with HIV receive treatment through the Mine Hospitals in Orapa and Jwaneng. Those prefer to utilize non-Company facilities, have the option to consult some of the nominated private practitioners outside the Mines.
Botswana Government, De Beers Sign A Historic Agreement
A landmark agreement between the international mining giant De Beers and the diamond producing giant Botswana will see the two long-time partners embarking on a watershed initiative that can potentially transform the economic profile this land-locked Southern African country.
At the official signing ceremony held last May at the Gaborone International Convention Centre, and in the presence of Botswana President HE Festus Mogae, Botswana’s Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, the Honourable Charles Tibone, ebulliently declared: “The significance of these agreements cannot be over-stated. We must make the case that Botswana has now come of age.”
Botswana celebrates 50 years of Independence.
2018 – Letlhakane Tailings Treatment Plant goes into full production
2019 – The Discovery of the 41.11 carats Okavango Blue Diamond at Orapa mine
2019 – Debswana celebrates 50 years in existence
2019 – Launch of the Jwaneng Cut 9 project
2020 – Debswana launches the P65 million Wastewater Project at Jwaneng
2021 – Debswana discovers the largest gem quality diamond in its history, a 1098 carat diamond from its Jwaneng Mine.
Board Approves Jwaneng Underground Project (JUP)
2023 – Board approves JUP
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