Debswana output kicks up a gear in Q1
Friday, May 01, 2026 | 220 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.
That sounds like good news. But the report also warns that this may simply be because our digital economy is still young, not because we are safe. As more people shop, bank and pay online, criminals will follow.We Batswana do not need a report to tell us that danger is real. Many of us have heard of or fallen victim to KYC scams. A caller impersonates your bank or mobile money provider. They say they need to “verify” your account. They ask...