Botswana wants to exploit entire diamond pipeline- Minister

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Mr. Kitso Mokaila

Mr. Kitso Mokaila

Botswana has seen some success in the area of cutting and polishing since the country moved its efforts towards beneficiation that came with the inflow of thousands of jobs to the country.

The diamond rich country initially focused on three stages of the diamond pipeline namely exploration, mining, “sorting and valuing”, but it has now emerged as a major international downstream player.

Minister of Minerals Energy and Water Resources, Kitso Mokaila said at Debswana 45th Anniversary Diamond Pipeline Exhibition in Orapa that with the addition of other components, the industry has not only created thousands of jobs over the years, but have also created a commendable skills base.

“As the diamond landscape in Botswana continues to evolve we have seen the establishment of “cutting and polishing” as well as jewellery manufacturing,” Mokaila said.

He said the country was already seeing some success in the area of cutting and polishing with 21 companies operating in Botswana as well as the embryonic stages of jewellery design through the Shining Light Diamond Design Awards which have been introduced by the Diamond Trading Company Botswana (DTCB).

“This is a laudable development which will enable our aspirant young designers to hone their skills in this area and eventually lead to a fully-fledged diamond jewellery industry in Botswana,” he added.

He said Botswana is committed to the full and responsible exploitation of the entire diamond pipeline from “mine to finger” as the saying goes.

The minister also revealed that the supply of goods and services is another aspect of diamond mining that brings significant benefits to those involved.

These include setting up of diamond banks, diamond security companies, diamond grading laboratories and training institutes, specialist diamond technology companies, a Botswana diamond industry association, the hosting of diamond conferences and other governments coming to learn about Botswana’s diamonds and her minerals policy.

“With the multitudes of developments taking place in this country, the diamond commerce is set to grow substantially,” he said.

“We have no doubt that further opportunities and spinoffs will emerge from the proliferation of diamond activities and we continue to encourage Batswana entrepreneurs to take full advantage of these. We are relentless in ensuring that the sequels emerging from the proliferation of all these diamond activities is to the benefit of our Batswana entrepreneurs.”

Mokaila however warned the country to be on alert and guard the reputation of Botswana’s diamonds and diamonds in general. The government set up Diamond Hub in 2008, as a catalyst for the development of Botswana as a flourishing one-stop diamond centre in a bid to protect the image of Botswana diamonds.

The Diamond Hub supports “rough and polished trading”, “cutting and polishing”, “jewelry manufacturing” and “diamond ancillary support businesses”.

 

“The development of a diamond exchange in Botswana is essential as part of positioning Botswana as a global Diamond Center and it will not only unlock value for the nation from other areas of the diamond pipeline, but it will also directly contribute to economic diversification.”

Local diamonds are also protected is participation in the Kimberly Process with Botswana being a founder member of the Kimberly Process which was established in 2003 following a resolution of the United Nations.

The Kimberly Process’ main objective is to ensure the transparent use of diamonds as well as to set up clear mechanisms for monetary compliance and accountability.

The Kimberly Process is rectified by over 70 countries including the United States, China, Japan, the European Union, India, Israel, South Africa and of course Botswana.

The Diamond Pipeline Exhibition was hosted by Orapa, Letlhakane and Damtshaa Mines.

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