De Beers’ involvement in Botswana dates back to the 1960s, when the company first began exploring the country’s diamond-rich areas. In 1967, De Beers discovered the famous Orapa diamond mine, which would go on to become one of the largest diamond mines in the world. Since then, De Beers has operated several other mines in Botswana, including the Jwaneng mine, which is considered one of the richest diamond mines in the world.
So, is Botswana getting a raw deal from De Beers? The answer is complex, but many experts and critics argue that the country is indeed being shortchanged. De Beers’ involvement in Botswana dates back to
For example, in 2020, De Beers paid around $1.2 billion in royalties to the Botswana government, which works out to around 10% of the total value of diamonds mined in the country. In contrast, other diamond-producing countries like Canada and Australia require companies to pay royalties of up to 20% of the total value of diamonds mined. So, is Botswana getting a raw deal from De Beers
Over the years, De Beers has been instrumental in helping Botswana develop its diamond industry, providing technical expertise, infrastructure, and employment opportunities. In return, the Botswana government has granted De Beers generous mining licenses and tax breaks, allowing the company to operate with relative ease. despite the benefits
The government has also been exploring alternative partnerships with other diamond companies, including the Chinese state-owned company, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC).
In recent years, the Botswana government has taken steps to renegotiate its partnership with De Beers and secure a better deal for the country. In 2020, the government announced plans to increase its stake in the Debswana joint venture, which operates several diamond mines in the country.
However, despite the benefits, there are growing concerns that Botswana is not getting a fair share of the revenue generated by its diamonds. According to a report by the Botswana-based NGO, Mining Watch Canada, De Beers pays significantly lower royalties to the Botswana government compared to other diamond-producing countries.