Debswana output kicks up a gear in Q1
Friday, May 01, 2026 | 160 Views |
Rumbling again: Jwaneng Mine
restarted operations
after the fourth
quarter suspension
PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO
An Anglo American production report for the first quarter shows that De Beers generated $648 million (P8.8 billion) in sales from two auctions, compared to $520 million (P7 billion) over the same period last year. The diamond giant sold 7.7 million carats in the first quarter, compared to 4.7 million carats over the corresponding period in 2025.
Debswana, De Beers’ traditional mainstay, rebounded from a scheduled shutdown of some operations in the fourth quarter of 2025, to ramp up output in the first quarter. At Jwaneng Mine, production rose to 2.23 million carats from none in the fourth quarter, whilst at Orapa, output was measured at 2.58 million carats from 1.88 million over the same period.
Acting Agriculture Minister, Edwin Dikoloti, is right in saying opening an export-ready facility whilst Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is still spreading would risk getting the whole country blacklisted before a single carcass leaves the door.A ban like that would break the already stressed nation. So, the postponement, painful as it is, is the right thing to do. The local economy is being squeezed from both ends. FMD has already slammed the door...