De Beers Claims 'Seamless Transition' for Sightholders

(IDEX Online News) – De Beers says its first international Sight held in Gaborone, Botswana, on November 14, provided "a seamless transition" for Sightholders following the relocation from London.

The miner says its systems and processes ran smoothly and that there was strong demand ahead of the end of year selling season.

The Sight took place at a specially built $35 million state-of-the-art building, and there has also been government investment in Gaborone airport to improve entry for Sightholders.

De Beers cited an unnamed Indian Sightholder as expressing surprise "at the ease of doing business in Botswana, from the transit through the airport to the quality of the local amenities and the brand new De Beers offices. The Sight floor is better than how it was in London and I am impressed that De Beers and Botswana have got everything in place so quickly”.

Ahead of the Sight, there had been Sightholder unease at the level of facilities in Gaborone and the lengthy travel time required to reach the city since there are no direct flights from outside of Africa.