The richest diamond mine in the world, Jwaneng lies in south-central Botswana, 160km southwest of Gaborone.
Jwaneng lies in south-central Botswana on the fringes of the Kgalagadi desert, 160 km south west of Gaborone and 80 km west of the traditional capital of the Bangwaketse district, Kanye village.
Jwaneng means “a place of small stones”.
The Jwaneng pipe was discovered in 1972 by De Beers prospectors.
In 1978 an agreement was signed between the Government of Botswana and De Beers to establish the mine, which was officially opened on 14 August 1982.
The mine is owned by Debswana, a partnership between De Beers and the government of Botswana. Jwaneng Mine contributes 60-70% of Debswana’s total earnings.
Carats per year
The richest diamond mine in the world, in 2008 Jwaneng produced 13.7 million carats from 15.7 million tonnes of ore. Production varies according to the mining plans of between approximately 12.5 to 15 million carats per year.
Hauling kimberlite bearing ore at Jwaneng
Mine type - geology and process
Jwaneng is currently an open pit mine, but plans to move to an underground operation in 10 years. This will begin a new chapter at Jwaneng Mine, and extend the life of the operation by another 10-15 years.
The size of the pipe, near surface was 54ha. The age of the pipe is estimated at 240 million years.
The mine is located on three pipes (Centre North & South pipes) with an average grade of 150 cpht., and a smaller satellite pipe averaging 25cpht.
The recoverable ore grade is about 141 carats per hundred tons.
The Jwaneng Mine Aquarium diamond recovery plant is the first of its kind in the industry. It comprises the completely automated recovery plant (CARP) and the fully integrated sort house (FISH).
The 'White House' Control Centre at Jwaneng
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Community and Environment
A town with a 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.
The Jwana Game Park can be found within the boundaries of the Jwaneng mining lease. The park hosts a Cheetah Conservation Botswana field unit, and Lappet-faced Vultures, which are globally threatened, are also found.
In support of the National Strategy for the Conservation of Endangered Rhino Population, two white Rhinos were introduced from the Khama Sanctuary in November 2007.
Health and Safety
LTIFR to end Oct 2008: 0.12. The 2007 lost time injury frequency rate (LTIFR) was 0.27. The mining operations section, however, achieved a lost time injury free year.
The Debswana mines retained their Occupational Health and Safety Accreditation System (OHSAS) 18001 certification in 2007. Jwaneng mine also implemented the SAFEmap behaviour-based safety process.
The mine also retained the ISO 14001 certificate for environmental compliance, being the first mine in Botswana to achieve this certification in 2000.
In April 2007 the health services successfully achieved COHSASA accreditation, which is valid for two years. This is an internationally recognised system of assurance on good clinical and processes governance, making the Jwaneng Mine Hospital the only one in the country to have this accreditation.
The mine and its sister operations in Debswana, are certified to the AIDS Management System (AMS) 16001 standard. Work is underway to adopt South African National Standard (SANS) 16001.
Planning for closure
An initial closure plan has been developed for Jwaneng Mine. This covers the scope of work that will be required to effect the physical closure of the mine infrastructure. Financial provision is being made to fund the closure work.
Find out more about Debswana and its other operations >