MAJWE MINING GETS DEBSWANA CUT 9 TENDER

Rough diamond producer, Debswana has awarded Majwe Mining a multi-billion Pula tender for the company’s Cut 9 project which is expected to lengthen Jwaneng mine’s lifespan by a further 15 years, The Midweek Sun has learnt. Debswana has made it known that investment in the project clearly shows commitment in the local diamond industry. Cut 9 comes hot on the heels of Cut 8 which also extended Jwaneng mine lifespan. Chairman of Debswana board of directors, Bruce Cleaver said the fresh capital injection into Jwaneng mine, the world’s number one rough diamond mine by value, could not have come at a better time where demand is poised to surpass supply. “The extension of Jwaneng Mine secures Botswana’s rightful place as a leading diamond producing nation for years to come. With global consumer demand for diamonds reaching record levels in 2018, the extension will enable us to continue to meet the needs of our consumers all over the world. We are deeply proud of the central role Jwaneng Mine has played in Botswana’s remarkable development story and of the role this investment will play in its future,” said an excited Cleaver, also De Beers Chief Executive. The project which is expected to commence anytime soon, following the 2019 budget will create more than 1,000 jobs at its peak, the majority of which will be held by Batswana. The project will cost a whopping P15, 7 billion. Debswana Managing Director, Albert Milton who is the immediate Jwaneng Mine Chief noted that they have always delivered safe projects which benefits locals. “We are also committed to delivering on the Citizen Economic Empowerment (CEE) goals and will focus on training our people, developing their skills and harnessing technology to create further safety and efficiency improvements,” added Milton, who has been with Debswana for decades. Debswana is a joint venture between De Beers and Botswana government. During the course of the contract, there will be the establishment of an Apprentice and Artisan Training Centre in addition to a Component Rebuild Centre, which is expected to mature into a self-sustaining business within three years from the launch of the project. Jwaneng is Debswana’s biggest mine by any measure. When updating stakeholders last Friday, Milton said as a result of a surge in diamond demand, the group also increased its production by 6 percent year on year to stand at 24.1 million carats.