Gaborone tipped to become world diamond hub

Botswana President Ian Khama (L) walks alongside Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe (R). Botswana has been tipped to be well on the way to becoming a world diamond hub following the success of the De Beers Group of Companies’ first international Sight in Gaborone. PHOTO/FILE

What you need to know:

  • Buyers from diamond centres including New York, Tel Aviv, Mumbai and Antwerp were in Gaborone to bid for aggregated diamonds mined in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Canada.

GABORONE,

Botswana has been tipped to be well on the way to becoming a world diamond hub following the success of the De Beers Group of Companies’ first international Sight in Gaborone.

The recently-ended international sight marked a historic milestone with over 81 Sightholders arriving in Gaborone following the relocation from London, with all systems and processes running smoothly.

Buyers from diamond centres including New York, Tel Aviv, Mumbai and Antwerp were in Gaborone to bid for aggregated diamonds mined in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Canada.

De Beers’ Midstream Communications Manager, Mr David Johnson, who will reside in Gaborone temporarily for Sights though based in United Kingdom, said: “Gaborone is well on the way to becoming a world diamond hub.”

The new state-of-the-art De Beers facility, completed ahead of schedule and below budget at a cost of US$35 million, has been supported by investment in Gaborone airport by the Government of Botswana to improve entry for Sightholders.

Johnson reiterated his approval of the facilities established in Gaborone.

“Gaborone has the best, most advanced diamond sorting and selling facility in the world and we are proud to be here,” he said.

After decades of just mining rough diamonds, Botswana’s capital now cuts, polishes and sells the precious stones itself.

Experts said the relocation of international Sights to Gaborone is a major milestone in the development of Botswana’s downstream diamond industry.