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BOTSWANA

Gaborone seeks to sparkle in diamond processing

The business of cutting and polishing diamonds is fiercely competitive. To gain a foothold, Botswana is beefing up the capacity of the parastatal Okavango Diamond Company, which wants to soon sell 'Made in Botswana' gems. [...] (342 words)

Issue dated 12/07/2021 Reading time 2 minutes

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Mining

Infotrac trial exposes shareholder brawls for control of Debswana

As the diamond producer Debswana's shareholders, De Beers and the Botwsana government, continue to negotiate the appointment of its new managing director, a lawsuit filed by a contractor hired to run a background check on its former CEO sheds lights on a muted battle for control of the firm. [...]

BOTSWANA Politics 28/09/2021

Gaborone in anti-money laundering task force's last chance saloon

Despite three years of cooperation with the Financial Action Task Force, Botswana looks like it is going to stay on the organisation's grey list. President Masisi has intervened personally to try to save the day. [...]

BOTSWANA Mining 23/09/2021

Gaborone hopes to cash in on uranium by wooing IAEA in Vienna

Botswana may have the largest uranium reserves in Africa, but many obstacles stand in the way of its ambition to produce yellowcake. The lack of an appropriate legal framework is one of them. The country's science minister used a visit to the IAEA to try to boost cooperation between his country and the organisation to get the country on the road to producing the prized ore. [...]

BOTSWANA Mining 24/08/2021

Gaborone reaps bigger share of Debswana's diamonds

Although talks are still in progress between Botswana and diamond producer De Beers on the terms of their partnership agreement, the share of Debswana's diamonds allocated for sale by the state-owned Okavango Diamond Company has been quietly but substantially increased. [...]

BOTSWANA Politics 18/08/2021

Masisi shakes up presidential office with Sebetela appointment

President Mokgweetsi Masisi's decision to appoint a chief of staff may be a strategic move but it threatens to step on the toes of his other cabinet members. [...]

Boyce Sebetela has been appointed Chief of Staff in the Office of the President the 1st of August. © Facebook account @LBSebetela

BOTSWANA Mining 26/07/2021

Jacob Thamage back at helm of Botswana's Diamond Hub

After serving as coordinator in 2012 at the pivotal moment when De Beers moved its sales offices from London to Gaborone, Jacob Thamage is returning to the position. A safe bet for Botswana during these unstable times in the industry. [...]

BOTSWANA Mining 22/06/2021

Dazzle of world's third largest diamond masks industry doldrums Free

Weighing in at a jaw-dropping 1,098 carats, the gemstone discovered by Debswana, a partnership between De Beers and Gaborone, made headlines the world over. But behind all the distracting sparkle, the business of diamonds is losing its shine. [...]

Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi, with the newly discovered 1000-carat diamond. © Tshekiso Tebalo/Xinhua News Agency/Newscom/MaxPPP

BOTSWANA Mining 20/04/2021

Diamond expert Timothy Lee's solo venture in gem evaluation

On 12 April, the company TL Diamond Valuation was registered in Gaborone by sole shareholder Timothy Lee. [...]

BOTSWANA Mining 19/01/2021

De Beers hopes to sparkle in the fight against Covid-19

De Beers is killing two birds with one stone by gifting diamonds to Botswanan healthcare workers: the giveaway boosts the company's image in Botswana, its biggest sources of gems, and should help put it in President Masisi's good books, as negotiations on renewing its diamond sales contract have been ensuing for over a year. [...]

The Bagaka Ba Rona program launched by De Beers and the Government of Botswana. © BWgovernment/Facebook

Inner circles

BOTSWANA Mining 14/05/2020

Lynette Armstrong's levers of influence to consolidate Debswana's diamond business

Having suddenly found herself at the helm of Debswana in 2019 following the premature death of her predecessor, Lynette Armstrong has been running Botswana's leading diamond producer in an acting capacity. With the appointment of a permanent managing director pending, she has been activating her networks as well as renegotiating the contract to sell the company's diamonds with its two shareholders, the Botswanan state and De Beers. [...]

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