Mmegi

Debswana output kicks up a gear in Q1

Rumbling again: Jwaneng Mine 
restarted operations 
after the fourth 
quarter suspension 
PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO
Rumbling again: Jwaneng Mine restarted operations after the fourth quarter suspension PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

Production at Debswana in the first three months of the year rose to 4.8 million carats, from 4.5 million carats over the corresponding period in 2025, helping De Beers to stronger returns despite the continuing strained market.

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.

Editor's Comment
Don't let FMD outbreak drag on

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...

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