The Ministry of Minerals and Energy in collaboration with De Beers group, this week hosted the Natural Diamonds Summit under the theme, Sustainability: People, Product and Planet.
The summit brought together leaders from Botswana Government, the country’s diamond sector and the wider international diamond industry to discuss the critical role natural diamonds play in driving sustainable development for producer countries. It also seeks to deliver a call to action for the industry to unite on sustainability priorities for shared benefit.
President Mokgweetsi Masisi, noted that in a world of evolving consumer attitudes, current challenging trading conditions and the ever-changing complexities of diamond recovery, sustainability is the critical point of congruence for the diamond industry. He also highlighted the advancements Botswana had made in driving sustainable economic development through prudent natural resource management for the benefit of its people, its natural environment and its diamonds. “The natural diamond industry has been in existence for over 100 years. Throughout its history, the industry has experienced many changes. From major technological advances that have transformed productivity and supported value chain development to consolidation of industry players and diamond centres, the sector has seen major evolution, and continued to grow and expand to become a leading driver of development throughout the producer countries and across the value chains. The industry has thrived for decades, transcending many global challenges that have seen other industries and major corporations fail to survive,“ said Minerals Minister, Lefoko Moagi.
Speaking at the same function, De Beers CEO, Al Cook, expressed strong optimism for the future of diamonds, which are the country’s major exports. He voiced his happiness following the recent historic agreement between Botswana and De Beers. “Government and De Beers’ new 10-year Sales Agreement for Debswana’s rough diamond production through to 2033, and the 25-year extension of the Debswana mining licences through to 2054, represent a new partnership for a new era. It is a transformative agreement that will see Botswana match the share of Debswana’s diamonds that it sells into the market, enables De Beers’ long-term capital investment in Debswana’s expansion through projects like the Jwaneng Underground transition, and makes possible the potential for the creation of tens of thousands of new jobs in Botswana, both within its diamond economy and in emerging sectors outside of it,” he said.
“Our partnership with Botswana has endured for more than 50 years and not by standing still. It has evolved, and our recent agreement with Government will support the growth of Botswana and the diamond industry for decades to come.”
The summit brought together leaders from Botswana Government, the country’s diamond sector and the wider international diamond industry to discuss the critical role natural diamonds play in driving sustainable development for producer countries. It also seeks to deliver a call to action for the industry to unite on sustainability priorities for shared benefit.
President Mokgweetsi Masisi, noted that in a world of evolving consumer attitudes, current challenging trading conditions and the ever-changing complexities of diamond recovery, sustainability is the critical point of congruence for the diamond industry. He also highlighted the advancements Botswana had made in driving sustainable economic development through prudent natural resource management for the benefit of its people, its natural environment and its diamonds. “The natural diamond industry has been in existence for over 100 years. Throughout its history, the industry has experienced many changes. From major technological advances that have transformed productivity and supported value chain development to consolidation of industry players and diamond centres, the sector has seen major evolution, and continued to grow and expand to become a leading driver of development throughout the producer countries and across the value chains. The industry has thrived for decades, transcending many global challenges that have seen other industries and major corporations fail to survive,“ said Minerals Minister, Lefoko Moagi.
Speaking at the same function, De Beers CEO, Al Cook, expressed strong optimism for the future of diamonds, which are the country’s major exports. He voiced his happiness following the recent historic agreement between Botswana and De Beers. “Government and De Beers’ new 10-year Sales Agreement for Debswana’s rough diamond production through to 2033, and the 25-year extension of the Debswana mining licences through to 2054, represent a new partnership for a new era. It is a transformative agreement that will see Botswana match the share of Debswana’s diamonds that it sells into the market, enables De Beers’ long-term capital investment in Debswana’s expansion through projects like the Jwaneng Underground transition, and makes possible the potential for the creation of tens of thousands of new jobs in Botswana, both within its diamond economy and in emerging sectors outside of it,” he said.
“Our partnership with Botswana has endured for more than 50 years and not by standing still. It has evolved, and our recent agreement with Government will support the growth of Botswana and the diamond industry for decades to come.”
