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Since the start of 2015, the diamond industry has experienced a number of challenges leading to abnormally high pipeline inventories of polished diamonds, resulting in lower demand for Debswana’s rough diamonds.
As a result, Debswana has revised its production for 2016 to 20 million carats to match expected levels of demand for rough.
This will be achieved by producing more from Jwaneng Mine which is a high value, low cost asset and reducing production from Orapa, Letlhakane and Damtshaa Mines (OLDM). Jwaneng Mine will produce around 12 million carats whilst OLDM will produce around eight million carats.
To achieve this reduction at OLDM, Damtshaa Mine will go onto a care and maintenance programme. Furthermore, Orapa Mine Plant 1(One) will produce approximately one million carats whilst maintaining plant readiness for an upswing in production should it be required.
All efforts are being made to preserve jobs by re-deploying affected employees to other parts of the business.
For more information please contact:
Esther V Kanaimba-Senai
Head of Corporate Affairs
Debswana Diamond Co.
Gaborone, Botswana
Tel: 3614303;
Email: [email protected]
About Debswana:
Debswana Diamond Company was established in 1969 and is owned in equal shares by the Botswana Government and De Beers. It is the world’s largest diamond producer by value and second largest by volume. Debswana operates four diamond mines in Orapa, Letlhakane, Jwaneng and Damtshaa, and also owns Morupule Coal Mine. Debswana is a major contributor to the national economy of Botswana – contributing significantly to the gross domestic product, foreign exchange earnings and government revenue. It is one of the largest private sector employers, with over 5200 employees. Debswana is also the biggest contributor to De Beers Group’s rough diamond production. The company is committed to mining safely, optimally and responsibly, as well as to making a meaningful contribution to the development of the communities around its mines and the nation at large, thus leaving a lasting legacy. For further information visit www.debswana.com