DTCB eyes world beyond Debswana

DTCB, established in 2006 as a joint venture between De Beers and government, is limited by its founding shareholder agreement to only sorting and valuing stones from Debswana, before selling these to De Beers and the state-owned Okavango Diamond Company.

In the years since its establishment, DTCB’s operating position has tightened due to the fact that while its state-of-the art plant is built to process 45 million carats per annum, Debswana’s production has averaged well below 30 million carats since 2008, in line with a policy where the mines produce only to match demand. Last year, Debswana production was pegged at 22.5 million, which represented a three-year high.