Jwaneng Diamond Mine sits in south-central Botswana, owned by Debswana, and is transitioning from open-pit to underground operations. It’s renowned as the world’s richest diamond mine by value. Recent expansions aim to sustain production for decades.
Location
The mine is about 170 km southwest of Gaborone at coordinates 24°31′23″S 24°42′07″E. It lies in the Orapa Kimberlite Field within an ancient volcanic crater featuring three kimberlite pipes. The site includes supporting infrastructure like Jwaneng Airport, a hospital, and a primary school.
Ownership
Debswana, a 50/50 joint venture between De Beers and the Botswana government, fully owns and operates the mine. De Beers holds an 85% interest in the broader Anglo American portfolio tied to Debswana. This partnership has driven operations since the mine’s start.
Mine development
Discovered in 1972 after soil sampling and drilling from 1969, it reached full production in 1982 following nine years of evaluation. Key expansions include Cut 8 ($3bn, first ore 2017, extending life to 2028), Cut 9 ($2bn, to 2035 yielding 53M carats), and a modular tailings plant. The open pit now reaches 452m deep, using in-pit crushing, haul trucks, and dense media separation at the Aquarium plant. In 2023, it produced 13.3M carats from 107M tonnes mined in 2021.
Future objectives
The Jwaneng Underground Project, approved with $1bn in 2024, shifts to underground mining starting exploration access in May 2024, Phase 1 production by 2028, and ramp-up by 2032. It targets depths of 1,000m using block and sublevel caving, aiming for operations until 2054 with $6bn investment. Goals include 4,500+ jobs yearly, over $25bn economic boost, safety, sustainability, and tech innovation.
