Illicit diamond trafficking worries OLDM boss

Illicit diamond trafficking still remains a threat at Orapa’s Debswana mine despite the high security level, says Orapa Letlhakane and Damtshaa Mines (ODLM) General Manager Bakani Motlhabane.He revealed that there are issues of people found with materials suspected to be diamonds but not actual diamonds. Motlhabane said that this year they have recorded a single case in which an employee was found in possession of materials suspected to be diamonds. He said it was only revealed after investigations were carried out that the material in question was not actual diamonds.

“There are syndicates involved in this diamond trafficking,” Motlhabane said.He said that the issue continues to threaten them but thankfully they have not had any cases of diamond substitution thus far. “You can have a situation where someone gets a diamond from other countries and comes and tries to substitute it with our diamond,” Motlhabane explained, saying that even though they are faced with challenges in protecting the precious stones, this has never happened.