Jwaneng

The Jwaneng Mine diamond bearing pipe was discovered in I972 by De Beers prospectors.

In 1978 an agreement was signed between the Botswana Government and De Beers to establish the Mine, and it was officially opened on 14 August 1982 by the former President of Botswana, Sir Ketumile Masire.

The richest diamond mine in the world, in 2007, Jwaneng produced 13.5 million carats. In the coming years, production will vary according to the mining plans of approximately 12.5 to 15 million carats per year.  

Jwaneng Mine also continues to retain the ISO 14001 Environmental certification.

It was the first organisation in Botswana - and the first amongst the Debswana operations - to receive the ISO 14001 accreditation in 2000.

A town with an official population of almost 15 000 people has developed 11 kilometres from the Mine. There are schools, a hospital and the usual infrastructure of a modern town.

Within the boundaries of the Jwaneng mining lease, there is the Jwana Game Park. 

The Park is proud to host a field unit of Cheetah Conservation Botswana.  The game park is also host to the globally threatened Lappet-faced Vulture.

In 10 years, Jwaneng Mine is planning to move from open-cast mining into underground operations. 

This will begin a new chapter at Jwaneng Mine, and extend the life of the operation by another 10-15 years.

Highlights from 2007:

• Mining moved a record 51 million tons
• The Mining Pit operations worked for over 18 months without a Lost Time Injury
• The Main Treatment Plant achieved a record 10.3 million tons producing 13.5 million carats
• A record 5.5 million tons were treated through the Recrush Plant
• The Red Area (Aquarium) achieved 7 years without a Lost Time Injury
• Jwaneng Mine contributes 60-70% of Debswana’s total earnings

Find out more about Debswana and its other operations >