The building, which DTC Botswana's Managing Director Brian McDonald says is in a class of its own "in the world", was funded by De Beers to the tune of P471 million. "It (DTC Botswana) will help diversify the economy and also help sightholders fulfil their dream of beneficiation," Tim Dabson, DTC London Executive Director responsible for beneficiation said at a press conference in Gaborone last Friday. "Behind the headline job creation of 3 000, beneficiation will come with other services like transport, security and banking." McDonald told the same press conference that the "world class" facility will sort and value 30 million carats of diamonds per year, making it the largest such plant in the world. The building houses 39 diamond-sorting machines valued at P69 million. The machines have the capacity to process 45 million carats of diamonds and accommodate 600 workers.
Coming only three weeks before the swearing-in of Vice President Ian Khama as President, observers say the commissioning of DTC Botswana - with its glitter and 3 000 jobs in the offing - will be a good omen for the new president.
