Africa-Press – Botswana. Botswana remains more committed than ever to its long-standing relationship with De Beers and will pull out all stops to refresh the partnership and make it more beneficial.
President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi echoed these words at the JCK Diamond Show in Nevada, USA at the De Beers stall on Friday.
His words of assurance come at a time when Anglo American, which owns an 85 per cent stake in De Beers compared to Botswana government’s 15 per cent, is selling De Beers.
According to President Masisi, the looming demerger should not create any anxiety about the future “because we as a country are determined to ensure we add value, become more influential, and give assurance to those who buy our diamonds that they are clean gems.” He reaffirmed Botswana’s commitment to its relationship with De Beers and all its trading partners.
Earlier, Mr Al Cook, the CEO of De Beers Group, talked about the cordial relationship that the world leading diamond company, with unrivalled expertise in exploration, mining, and marketing of rough diamonds since 1888, has had with Botswana. He particularly commended President Masisi for his care and vision for Batswana in the discharge of his duties as the head of state, especially in ensuring that their welfare was taken into consideration in the mining of diamonds.
The De Beers group of companies, he said, was happy to have such a partner as Botswana.
He assured everyone that, as part of its strategy, De Beers prioritised having the finest mines, including the underground project at the Jwaneng mine in Botswana. Mr Cook was happy to announce that the company had developed technology that would differentiate between lab-grown diamonds and the natural rare gem in just half a minute, a technological breakthrough that was clearly embraced by the government of Botswana, which shuns synthetics.
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