Diamond giant De Beers to extend life of world’s richest mine

Global luxury purveyor of diamonds, De Beers, has launched a venture to
save the largest diamond mine in the world from going into permanent
hibernation.

The Jwaneng Mine in Botswana is the richest mine in the world, and the
eighth largest, and a partnership between the Botswana government and
Debswana Diamond Company, of which De Beers is the parent company.

The venture, called the Cut-9 project, was set up to extend the life of the
mine until 2035 and would see De Beers have access to 53 million carats of
rough diamonds from 44 million tons of treated material.

The mine has the largest man-made craters

Even though the mine has brought steady income to many and boosted the
Botswana economy, it has also produced the largest man-made craters on
earth. The depth of the mine is 1,150 feet, further producing stagnant
water that eradicates the soil of its nutrients.

But it is not just the environment that bears the negative effects of
mining, it is the miners themselves who are at risk.

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Workers are often exposed to hazardous chemicals which can lead to chronic
diseases. One example is the inhalation of dust from blasting and drilling
activities. Mercury and radon are two toxic elements always present in
mining. With mercury associated with bleeding gums, poisoning and nausea,
and radon, a radioactive gas, associated with lung cancer.

The working conditions of minders means they are continually exposed to
dangerous elements, be it a gas, debris, or using explosives, but also
carrying heavy loads which can lead to physical injuries. While the local
economy may fluster, miners are typically paid less than a dollar a day.

People living in nearby communities also feel the effects of mining, such
as locally polluted bodies of water caused by the dumping of waste.

Sustainable diamond are gaining popularity

In the era of accountability, sustainable diamonds are becoming more
popular, with cremation diamonds an option for those who have a preference
for natural stones without the negative effects. The process of turning
ashes to diamonds is done in a laboratory, without the need to open pit
mines or dig in riverbanks.

But there will always be demand for natural diamonds

“As we have throughout the history of Jwaneng Mine, we remain steadfast in
ensuring that all projects are delivered safely and to the benefit of the
people of Botswana,” said Albert Milton, managing director at Debswana, in
a statement. “We are also committed to delivering on the citizen economic
empowerment (CEEP) goals and will focus on training our people, developing
their skills and harnessing technology to create further safety and
efficiency improvements.”

Photo credit: De Beers
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