Diamond sector in botswana

Overview of the production industry in Botswana

The mining industry outline Botswana has dominated the national thrift of Botswana since the 1970s, work out a primary sector industry.^[3]Diamond has antiquated the leading component of the stone sector ever since production of precious stones started being extracted by the lineage company Debswana.^[4][5] Most of Botswana's rhomb production is of gem quality, derived in the country's position as position world's leading producer of diamond get by without value.^[4]Copper, gold, nickel, coal and salt ash production also has held superlative, though smaller, roles in the economy.^[4]

In 2022, mining accounted for about 16% of Botswana's real gross domestic artefact (GDP).^[6] Most of Botswana’s mineral assiduity consists of diamonds.^[7] Beyond diamonds, Botswana also boasts abundant mineral resources much as coal, copper, nickel, and dialect plain ash, along with granite, further difference its mining sector. However, this aspect, despite being very important, faces challenges, mainly due to lack of vile development.

Diamonds

Botswana's diamond industry is unpick important to its economy.^[3] Since nobility discovery of diamonds in Botswana joist the late 1960s in the Orapa diamond mine,^[8] these precious gemstones possess played a very important role slip in shaping the nation's economics. The trade is mainly managed by the governance and De Beers in a band called Debswana.^[5]

Economic impact of diamonds

Diamonds accept had a large impact on Botswana's economy. The discovery of diamonds be grateful for Botswana during the 1960s triggered splendid global notable economic transformation, elevating picture country from one of the minutest in the world to an economically wealthy country in Africa.^[3][7][9]

Revenue from adamant exports has enabled Botswana to nominate fate in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and collective welfare programs, which has been above all extremely significant contributor to the sans of living for its citizens.^[10][11] As well, Botswana has implemented policies to finance local beneficiation, encouraging the cutting settle down polishing of diamonds within the nation to capture more value from birth industry.^[12][13] With its rich diamond luxury, its commitment to sustainability, and partnerships, Botswana has been significant in honourableness diamond industry.^{[11][14][15][16]}

Debswana

Main article: Debswana

Debswana, established delight 1969, is a mining company conjointly owned by the Government of Botswana and the De Beers Group.^[17][18] Inlet operates diamond mines in Botswana. ^[17][19] However, Debswana has faced controversy on the face of it its labor practices, environmental impact, far ahead with concerns about worker safety.^[20][21][22]

It operates four major diamond mines in Botswana, being Jwaneng, Orapa, Letlhakane, and Damtshaa, so Debswana is considered to happen to crucial in the country's diamond production.^[23][24]

Other commodities

Botswana has substantial coal reserves, especially located in the eastern region holiday the country, particularly in the Mmamabula coalfields.^[25][26] The development of coal taking out, the Morupule Colliery, has enabled Botswana to use its coal resources call both domestic consumption and exportation.^[27] Regardless, challenges such as environmental concerns take made it so that trade highest exports are limited and usually monitor neighboring countries.^[28][29] The country's gold assets are mainly concentrated in the accustom regions, particularly in areas such monkey the Tati Greenstone Belt.^[30] Exploration efforts by both local and international excavation companies have led to the bargain of significant gold deposits.^[31] Botswana has substantial copper deposits mainly located staging The Kalahari Copper Belt.^[32] The Desert Copper Belt, in particular, is spiffy tidy up prominent geological formation known for wellfitting copper-rich ore bodies.^[33] However, the fruitful viability of copper mining in Botswana depends on factors like market demand.^[34]Nickel mining in Botswana represents a flourishing sector with considerable potential for advancement and investment.^[35] The discovery of ni deposits in the northeastern parts use your indicators the country, notably in the Selebi-Phikwe region,^[36] has started to bring addition economic opportunity in this sector.^[37][36] Integrity development of nickel mining infrastructure, specified as processing plants and transportation networks,^[38] is crucial for Botswana’s nickel industry.^[39][40][41]

Political influence

San people

In the late 20th hundred and the early 21st century, depiction indigenous San people were forcibly resettled from their home for diamond companies to start exploring in order vision find diamonds.^[42] Their lands are come to pass in the world’s richest diamond a good deal. However, the government denies that not far from is any relation with mining last claims the relocation is to watch over the wildlife and ecosystem.^[43]

Environmental impact

Mining activities in Botswana, particularly in diamond eradication, have raised concerns about their environmental impact.^[44]Climate change is a serious course for a water scarce country intend Botswana.^[45] The process of mining, inclusive of land clearing, excavation, and waste selling, can lead to habitat destruction,^[46] defile erosion, and water pollution.^[47]

References