New Delhi:
The Jwaneng Diamond Mine, located in Botswana, is the richest diamond mine worldwide, with an estimated value of 1 billion euros. Often referred to as the “Prince of Mines”, Jwaneng is located in an old volcanic crater about 170 km southwest of the capital of Botswana, Gaborone. The mine is operated by Debswana, a joint venture between the Beers, a leading Diamond Company, and the government of Botswana.
Jwaneng, which means “a place of precious stones” in setswana, sits on top of a kimberliet pipe, a volcanic formation that brings diamonds from deep into the mantle of the earth to the surface. The history of the mine dates from the 1970s when De Beers discovered the site, and it has been working since 1982. Over the years, it has produced millions of carat diamonds from his three most important kimberlit tubes. In 2023 alone, Jwaneng produced 13.3 million carat, making it the world's most valuable diamond mine.
Jwaneng has played a crucial role in the economy of Botswana and contributes to 70 percent of Debswana's income. It is estimated that the turnover of the mines has risen $ 96 billion since its foundation. This economic boost helped Botswana transition from one of the world's poorest countries in the sixties to a country with an average income today.
Mining at Jwaneng is very advanced, with large exercises that loosen the rock and trucks that are transported to a processing factory. Here diamonds are separated using state-of-the-art technologies such as X-rays and laser orders. Despite the fact that he was confronted for a number of environmental challenges, Jwaneng was the first in Botswana to receive ISO 14001 certification for his environmentally friendly practices.
The future of Jwaneng looks bright, with the “Cut -9” project, an initiative of 1.5 billion euros 1.5 billion, which extends the life of the mine to at least 2035 and generates an extra 53 million carat. An underground expansion approved in January 2024 will also create thousands of jobs and is expected to generate 20 billion in the coming decades.
Unlike many other mines worldwide, Jwaneng has earned praise for his responsible mining practices. Debswana invests in education, healthcare, housing and nature conservation in Botswana.
The mine stands for challenges with regard to environmentalism, which the company continues to tackle through green initiatives.
The mine is an essential part of the economy of Botswana and a model for responsible mining.
