JWANENG AND ORAPA DIAMOND MINES PUT BOTSWANA ON THE MAP

Botswana ‘s flagship diamond mines, Jwaneng & Orapa, owned and operated by Debswana – a 50/50 Joint venture between Government & De Beers Group, have been ranked first and second respectively by Mining Intelligence 2022 report for both production and value. For production figures used were for 2022, Q1, Q2 & Q3.

RANKING BY PRODUCTION

𝟏. Jwaneng Diamond Mine
The Jwaneng Mine tops the list for production with 10,319 kct. The mine is located in the Naledi River Valley of southern Botswana, the Jwaneng pipe was first discovered in 1972, and became fully operational a decade later. The Jwaneng mine is operated by Debswana, a partnership between the De Beers and the Government of Botswana. Debswana has earmarked $6 billion to build the world’s largest underground diamond mine at Jwaneng, already the richest diamond mine in the world.

𝟐.Orapa Diamond Mine
One of four Debswana operations in Botswana, Orapa, meaning “resting place for lions”, is the world’s largest diamond mine measured by area and number 2 on Mining Intelligence production list for 2022 with 8,033 kct..

𝟑.𝐔𝐝𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐲 Diamond Mine
The biggest diamond mine owned by Alrosa, Udachny ranked number 3 in terms of production with 4,649 kct. Udachny is located in the Sakha Republic region of Russia, just outside the Arctic circle.

𝟒. 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐚 Mine
Anglo American’s Venetia mine , under De Beers Group in South Africa is number 4, producing 4,567 kct. Venetia mine was designed as an open pit, and in 2013, an underground extension project began with plans to ramp up to full production by 2025 while extending the mine life to 2046.

𝟓..𝐍𝐲𝐮𝐫𝐛𝐚 Mine
Alrosa’s Nyurba mine in Yakutia, Russia is number 5 on the list, producing 3,616 kct. in 2019, Alrosa found a Matryoshka-style stone in Nyurba, the first in diamond mining history.

RANKING BY VALUE

𝟏. 𝐉𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐧𝐠 Diamond Mine 
Jwaneng Mine is also the richest diamond mine in the world in terms of value, estimated at $1.25 billion, with an average historic annualized price at $121.5 per carat.

𝟐.𝐎𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐚 Diamond Mine
Orapa holds second place for value as well, estimated at $976 million, and neck and neck with Jwaneng with an average historic annualized price at $121.5 per carat.

𝟑. 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐚 Diamond Mine
Venetia swapped 4th place in production for third place in value, estimated at $425 million and an average historic annualized price at $93 per carat.

𝟒. 𝐔𝐝𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐲 Diamond Mine
Udachny, number 3 for production, ranked number 4 for value, estimated at $404 million and with an average historic annualized price at $87 per carat.

𝟓. 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐤 Diamond Mine
Canada’s Diavik mine, owned by Rio Tinto, makes an appearance as number 5 in terms of value, estimated at $394 million and with an average historic annualized price at $118.2 per carat.

Information by : Mining Intelligence Data