Botswana Diamonds (BOD) has presented its first three-dimensional model of the newly discovered kimberlite pipe on Thorny River. According to the diamond explorer, a high-resolution ground gravity survey conducted during October 2020 detected an enlarged anomaly along the known kimberlite fissure. This anomaly was subsequently followed up by Reverse Circulation (‘RC’) drilling and confirmed as a kimberlite pipe. Data from the RC holes was reconciled with the ground gravity data to construct a three-dimensional model of the kimberlite pipe. The best fit model showed an East – West trending body gently dipping to the east with a surface expression of 80…
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Majwe Mining Joint Venture (Majwe) has secured approval to establish a technical training centre in Botswana to enable regional growth opportunities and empower national employees through training and development. Majwe Mining Executive Chairman, Spencer Jose said this initiative reinforces Majwe’s commitment to building local capability in line with Botswana’s 2036 vision to achieve sustainable economic development through a knowledge-based economy. “This approval is an important step in continuing to develop Botswana’s local capability while providing sustainable, best-practice mining solutions to our projects. “The technical training centre will provide apprenticeship and specialist maintenance training for people wanting to enter the mining industry by…
De Beers has announced 12 ambitious sustainability goals for the coming decade, including achieving gender parity throughout its workforce, supporting 10,000 women entrepreneurs in its diamond producing partner countries and being carbon neutral within its own operations by 2030. The 12 goals are part of De Beers’ Building Forever framework – a sustainability approach embedded in the business’s commercial strategy and focused on maximising the positive impact of diamonds on their journey from discovery to retail. The goals were developed to galvanise De Beers’ employees, partners and consumers around the world – from its four producer countries to the more…
Botswana Diamonds (BOD), the AIM and BSE listed diamond explorer, said it the acquisition of Sekaka Diamonds Pty Ltd (‘Sekaka’), as previously announced on 20th July 2020, has now been completed. Sekaka was Petra’s exploration vehicle in Botswana and holds three Prospecting Licences in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (“Kalahari”) in Botswana, PL169/2019, PL058/2007 and PL224/2007, which includes the high grade KX36 kimberlite pipe. The acquisition also includes an extensive database, built up over 15 years of exploration. BOD chairman, John Teeling said his company is delighted that this acquisition has now closed. “This now paves the way to explore commercial development…
Lucara Diamond Corp. said it has recovered an unbroken 998 carat high white clivage diamond from its 100% owned Karowe Diamond Mine located in Botswana. According to the company, the diamond, measuring 67x49x45mm, was recovered from direct milling of ore sourced from the EM/PK(S) unit of the South Lobe, and follows a notable series of diamond recoveries during this recent production run, including a number of top quality clivage and gem quality stones of 273, 105, 83, 73, and 69 carats in weight. The EM/PK(S) forms an important economic driver for the proposed underground mine at Karowe and continues to produce…
National carrier, Air Botswana said it will re-commence its scheduled regional operations effective November 10, 2020. According to the state-owned company, it will initially offer four weekly flights between Gaborone and Johannesburg, but these will be adjusted based on travel demand. Air Botswana general manager, Agnes Khunwana said this is taking into account the prevalent travel conditions and protocols, still to be adhered to. Other regional destinations will be gradually introduced, including Cape Town, Harare and Lusaka. “We are indeed very pleased at the announcement and view this as a positive development which will afford us an opportunity to progress…
A Ministerial Forum with top government representatives from DRC, Rwanda, Botswana and Lesotho during the upcoming Africa Mining Forum Digital Event in November, will give an in-depth view of how the mining sectors in these regions have fared under COVID conditions. “In the last 10 months, stakeholders and mining institutions have responded swiftly and collaboratively from a health and safety perspective in the short term,” says Africa Mining Forum’s event manager Elodie Delagneau, “and built and consolidated relationships with the communities affected by the pandemic.” “African governments and institutions have laid the groundwork to support and mitigate the long-term economic impact on the…
De Beers said although it is still early days demand for rough diamonds is rebounding following impressive numbers from the group’s eighth sales cycle of 2020. The company said Global Sightholder Sales and Auctions provisional figures for the period stood at $467 million which was better than the actual $334 million reported in Cycle 7 2020. Year-on-year the figure was almost double the actual $297 million recorded in Cycle 8 2019. Despite the improving sales figures, De Beers chief executive officer, Bruce Cleaver still remains cautiously optimistic of the rebound from COVID-19 induced recession. “We continue to see a steady…
Survival International (SI), the global movement for tribal peoples, has announced the winning entries for its 2021 calendar photo competition. Survival International, the global movement for tribal peoples, is delighted to announce the winning entries for its 2021 calendar photo competition. Open to amateurs and professionals alike, the competition called for entries on the theme of “Resilience and Pride.” It aims to celebrate photography as a powerful medium for raising awareness of tribal peoples. The winning image is by Yoeme, A:shiwi, and Rarámuri photographer Tomás Karmelo Amaya, depicting matriarchs from various backgrounds and tribal affiliations gathering in a tipi for a women’s meeting. The…
S&P Global Ratings has released an update of the sovereign credit rating for Botswana which showed that the country’s sovereign credit rating for long-term foreign and domestic currency bonds are affirmed at “BBB+”, and short-term foreign and domestic currency bonds at “A-2”. However, S&P Global Ratings changed the outlook from stable to negative. According to a Bank of Botswana statement, the negative outlook is premised on the expected higher pressures on Botswana’s economic, external and fiscal performance over the next two years, notably arising from the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, compounded by weaker diamond exports. The rating agency,…