Orapa powers Botswana diamond production
Friday, September 26, 2025 | 380 Views |
Old Faithful: Orapa was the country’s first diamond mine and continues to deliver PIC: THALEFANG CHARLES
OLDM General Manager, Mogakolodi Maoketsa, said the industry has been challenged by the increasing appeal of synthetic diamonds, higher extraction costs, and slower economic growth in major markets.
“People are buying synthetic diamonds at lower prices, and the global economy is struggling. That is why our sales have dropped,” he said.
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...