The Mining Operations unit contributes to De Beers’ position as the leading diamond company.
The Aquarium at the Jwaneng Diamond mine
Our mission is mine diamond deposits in a responsible and environmentally friendly manner, creating value for shareholders and stakeholders alike.
With 20 mines in production in Africa and more than a century’s worth of expertise in every form of mining, we have the means to overcome all technical mining challenges, from deep sea to alluvial, and open-pit to underground.
Our sales strategy, Supplier of Choice, puts our clients first by focusing on what matters to them – a consistent supply of quality diamonds. This ability to deliver is a direct result of achieving strong growth and implementing initiatives that improve efficiency across all our operations worldwide.
Our Intention to Offer (ITO) process affords our clients security and predictability as they know six months in advance what diamonds we will be selling.
Debswana
Debswana Diamond Company is jointly owned by De Beers and the Government of Botswana. It is the world's largest diamond producer by value and has four diamond mining operations situated at Jwaneng, Orapa, Letlhakane and Damtshaa.
Jwaneng is the richest diamond mine in the world, situated 170km west of the capital Gaborone. Orapa, Letlhakane and Damtshaa mines are located roughly 240km west of Francistown. The Orapa pipe is the world's second largest diamond-producing kimberlite pipe.
The Botswana Diamond Valuing Company (BDVC) sorts and values the diamonds produced by the Debswana operations. BDVC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Debswana.
A landmark 50/50 partnership agreement between De Beers and the Botswana government resulted in the Diamond Trading Company Botswana being established, and is expected to replace BDVC early in 2008.
Namdeb
Namdeb, a joint venture between De Beers and the Government of Namibia, holds six mining licences from which diamonds are recovered. They are Mining Area No. 1, Bogenfels, Elizabeth Bay, Douglas Bay, Orange River and Atlantic 1.
The bulk of Namdeb's production comes from the Mining Area No. 1 and Atlantic 1 licence areas. In the latter area, De Beers Marine Namibia (DBMN) explores and recovers diamonds from the seabed off the Namibian coast. In DBMN, Namdeb has access to the world’s foremost marine diamond mining technology and expertise.
Beach and marine contractors mine the northern portion of the company's licence areas and the coastal waters up to 5km from shore.
De Beers Consolidated Mines
De Beers Consolidated Mines (DBCM) has six operations in South Africa. They are Finsch, Kimberley mines, Namaqualand mines, The Oaks, Venetia and Voorspoed.
DBCM plays a constructive role in the transformation of South Africa and has offered significant mining opportunities to black economic empowerment (BEE) companies. In April 2006, for example, we concluded a R3.7 billion empowerment deal with Ponahalo Holdings, effectively transferring 26% of the shareholding in DBCM.
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