Botswana Weighing Options, Seeking Russian Diamond Exploration

Botswana, a long-time partner and part owner of De Beers, is interested in encouraging other companies to get involved in its diamond activities. This was the message that came out in Moscow during a visit of a senior Botswanan mining industry official.

Botswana and Russia “need to work closely in diamond mining and to sign the necessary agreements. We'd like to see Russian companies involved in exploration, and activity on the part not just of Alrosa but of other companies, too,” Nchidzi Mmolawa, director of Botswana’s Mineral Affairs in the Ministry of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, told an investment forum.

“Botswana would like to integrate with the whole diamond production chain, set the relevant center up and attract investment for diamond cutting," Mmolawa said.

In recent years, Botswana has sought to expand its involvement in the diamond pipeline, adding polishing and trading centers to its existing mining activities. After De Beers formed the local Botswana Diamond Trading Company (BDTC) and started supplying locally mined goods to local manufacturers, Botswana is now considering ways to form a diamond hub, a center for trading diamonds that may encompass the polishing facilities.