Where are the De Beers mines?
Sarah Oconnor
Updated on February 27, 2026
It operates in 35 countries and mining takes place in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Canada and Australia. From its inception in 1888 until the start of the 21st century, De Beers controlled 80% to 85% of rough diamond distribution and was considered a monopoly.
How many mines are there in Botswana?
How many mines are there in Botswana? Africa Mining IQ, as the continent’s largest intelligence platform for mining data, provides a key gateway into these mineral reserves, with over 80 mines in Botswana listed.
Who owns Jwaneng diamond?
Debswana
The Jwaneng diamond mine is the richest diamond mine in the world and is located in south-central Botswana about 120 kilometers (75 mi) west of the city of Gaborone, in the Naledi river valley of the Kalahari….Jwaneng diamond mine.
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Opened | 1982 |
| Owner | |
| Company | Debswana |
Who owns De Beers now?
Anglo American plc
De Beers/Parent organizations
Who formed De Beers?
Cecil Rhodes
Barney Barnato
De Beers/Founders
How are diamonds mined in Botswana?
The Jwaneng Diamond Mine, in south-central Botswana, sits atop the convergence of three kimberlite pipes—diamond-rich geologic formations. Because the pipes meet just below the surface and cover some 520,000 square meters (128.5 acres) at ground level, the diamonds are mined from an open pit rather than a mine tunneled below the surface.
What is Debswana Diamond Company?
Debswana Diamond Company (Pty) Ltd is a partnership between the Government of the Republic of Botswana and De Beers. The main purpose of the company is to mine and recover diamonds optimally and responsibly. Debswana operates Orapa, Letlhakane, Jwaneng and Damtshaa mines in Botswana.
What is majwe mining doing in Botswana?
A local contract, worth US$1.2 billion, has been awarded by Debswana to Majwe Mining, a joint venture between Bothakga Burrow Botswana and Thiess Botswana, to provide diamond mining services. Damtshaa, which means ‘water for tortoises’ in Sesarwa, opened in 2003 and is the newest mine of Debswana, our joint venture with the people of Botswana.
Where is the Damtshaa diamond mine?
The mine is located about 20km east of the Orapa kimberlite pipe in central Botswana. To form Damtshaa, Debswana consolidated four small diamond pipes, discovered between 1967 and 1972, into one mine.
