Mmegi

Orapa powers Botswana diamond production

Old Faithful: Orapa was the country’s first diamond mine and continues to deliver PIC: THALEFANG CHARLES
Old Faithful: Orapa was the country’s first diamond mine and continues to deliver PIC: THALEFANG CHARLES

Orapa, Letlhakane, and Damtshaa Mines (OLDM) continue to underpin the country’s diamond production capacity and the social impact of the activities, despite the pressures the sector is facing.

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.

Editor's Comment
Get back what was stolen, and lock the door

That a single private law firm pocketed P6.5 million for just four cases, out of a total P11.1 million paid for 25 matters, reeks of a system that was not merely disorganised but open to abuse.Bayford has taken a welcome first step by telling the Public Accounts Committee the truth. Now he must act decisively to ensure it never happens again and that any money lost to wrongdoing is recovered.The figures are staggering. Whilst ordinary Batswana...

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