Debswana Targets 20m carats In 2010

The company produced approximately 17.1 million carats of diamonds in 2009, or around 50 percent of its normal levels. Debswana's output was 32.3 million carats in 2008 and 33.6 million carats in 2007. Debswana, De Beers largest mining venture, closed its mines for two months at the beginning of 2009 due to the reduced demand for rough diamonds.

The company produced approximately 17.1 million carats of diamonds in 2009, around 50 percent of "normal levels," Esther Kanaimba, Debswana spokesperson,  said in an interview with Rapport News last week. "We expect production to reach 60 percent of normal levels in 2010, to about 20 million carats," she said. Debswana's output was 32.3 million carats in 2008, and 33.6 million carats in 2007.