This followed the discovery of diamonds in Africa in 1866, south of what became the diamond city, where diamonds were first mined in the 1870s.

The company has evolved from humble beginnings in the nineteenth century to become the leader of the diamond industry - exploring for, mining, and trading rough diamonds and retailing premium diamond jewellery whilst employing the highest ethical standards throughout the value chain of its operations.

Five focus areas
De Beers Consolidated Mines (DBCM) currently has five focus areas of operation: 

1. ZERO HARM: Zero harm to people, planet and profit  - always
2. FINANCE: Superior, sustained profits
3. PEOPLE: Diamond people: engaged, highly skilled and producing excellent results safely
4. REPUTATION: Living up to diamonds by being a respected, responsible and admired partner
5. OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE: Safe, simple and effective processes

The company is 26 per cent owned by BBBEE company, Ponahalo, representing a wide range of shareholders in communities, gender and disabled, employees and retired De Beers workers, as well as leading empowerment business people.

DBCM operates six mining operations: Venetia, Kimberley, Finsch, Namaqualand, Voorpsoed and the South African Sea Areas.

The past years have seen strides forward in DBCM’s quest for transformation in the workplace and the consequential wide presence of women in all levels of the mining operations, from female haul truck drivers at various mines, to metallurgists, and at Kimberley Mines the appointment of the first female operations manager in De Beers 120 years of existence.

The company is recognised for its extensive community social investment programmes and innovative HIV/AIDS initiatives. It was the first company in the world to provide free anti-retroviral treatment to all its mining and diamond sorting employees and their spouses or partners. 

The company will also look at strengthening its corporate social investments programmes of the De Beers Fund and other channels to continue adding value in the communities where it operates.

Read more about DBCM's Mining Operations>

Read DBCM's Operating & Financial Review for 2009>