Openpit mining prolific in recovery of miner’s diamonds
JWANENG The diamond mine is the world’s richest in terms of value, producing high-grade ore that contributes between 60% and 70% of Debswana’s revenue
ORAPA Orapa is the oldest operating mine in Botswana and the largest openpit diamond mine in the world. The mine is expected to produce 145-million carats from 157-million tonnes of ore during its 14-year life
LETLHAKANE This is Debswana’s deepest openpit mine. Operations now focus on mining the tailings mineral resource, after openpit mining reached the end of its life last year. An estimated 83-million tonnes of material, containing 21-million carats, will be treated over 25 years
DAMTHSAA Debswana’s newest mine, Damtshaa, opened in 2003, with a projected life of 31 years. It is made up of four small diamond pipes, which were discovered between 1967 and 1972, and were grouped together to form Damtshaa
VENETIA This openpit mine is South Africa’s largest diamond producer. Openpit operations will continue until 2021, after which Venetia will be converted to underground mining. This will extend Venetia’s life-of-mine to 2046
VOORSPOED Known to occasionally produce large, exotic coloured diamonds, Voorspoed opened in 2008, and was the first new diamond mine in South Africa in almost 20 years. It was also among the mines which pioneered 21st century environmental and social performance standards
Openpit mining is the most common method of recovering its diamonds, says international diamond company De Beers, which operates several opencast mines in Africa, namely South Africa and Botswana.
De Beers Consolidated Mines, which was established in 1888, is South Africa’s largest rough diamond producer, with two openpit mining operations – Venetia, in Limpopo, where the company is constructing an underground mine, and Voorspoed, in the Free State. It also has surface diamond recovery operations at its Kimberley diamond mine, in the Northern Cape.
In Botswana, De Beers has been in a 50/50 joint venture with the country’s government, Debswana, owing to the country’s mineral-rich, specifically diamond-rich resources, since 1978. Debswana’s main aim is said to become part of the fabric of Botswana, enabling it to unlock the potential of its resources and harness this to support its economy.
This public–private partnership led to Botswana transforming its predominantly agricultural economy into a nation with one of the highest economic growth rates in the world, says Debswana.
There are four openpit mines operated by Debswana in Botswana, namely Jwaneng, Orapa, Letlhakane and Damtshaa.
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