Jwaneng Diamond Mine:
The Jwaneng Diamond Mine is the richest diamond mine globally, with an estimated value of 1 billion euros.
- Jwaneng Diamond Mine, dubbed the ‘Prince of Mines,’ is located in Botswana.
- It is the world’s richest diamond mine by value.
- The mine lies on the edge of the Kalahari Desert.
- It is situated in an ancient volcanic crater about 170 km southwest of Botswana’s capital, Gaborone.
- The mine is operated by Debswana, a joint venture between De Beers, a leading diamond company, and the Botswana government.
- Jwaneng, which means “a place of gems” in Setswana, sits atop a kimberlite pipe, a volcanic formation that brings diamonds from deep within the Earth’s mantle to the surface.
- The mine’s history dates back to the 1970s when De Beers discovered the site, and it has been operating since 1982.
- Over the years, it has produced millions of carats of diamonds from its three main kimberlite pipes.
- In 2023 alone, Jwaneng produced 13.3 million carats, solidifying its reputation as the world’s richest diamond mine, valued at an estimated £1 billion.
- Jwaneng has played a crucial role in Botswana’s economy. It is estimated that the mine’s revenue has crossed $96 billion since its inception.
- Mining at Jwaneng is highly advanced, with large drills loosening the rock, and trucks transporting it to a processing plant.
- Here, diamonds are separated using state-of-the-art technologies like X-ray and laser sorters.
- Jwaneng was the first in Botswana to receive ISO 14001 certification for its eco-friendly practices.
