KGK beneficiation initiatives get nod

New entrant into the diamond value chain, KGK Diamond Botswana has been applauded for its beneficiation initiatives expected to strengthen the country’s diamond trade environment.

“KGK Diamonds has demonstrated the attributes of an outstanding economic driver in this country, choosing to pursue a green economy path in its core business practices across the globe,” said President Mokgweetsi Masisi at the inauguration ceremony of KGK Diamonds Botswana and its jewellery factories.

Masisi commended KGK Diamonds’ initiatives as part of developing linkages with the rest of the economy.

“As is the case with many raw materials, the greatest opportunities, including developing new industries, lie in going up the value chain. It is through developing raw materials’ value chains that one is able to innovate and build sustainability.”

He said the value chains are key to the deepening of economic diversification in this country.

“To this extent, government has taken a decision to add value to all its natural resources including diamonds. This will, in no small measure, increase the contribution of the mineral sector to Botswana’s gross domestic product ( GDP),” said Masisi.

Masisi is optimistic that government plans and aspirations will always find pathways to beneficiate and exploit the value chains of various natural resources, especially diamonds.

With over 12 000 people employed in the diamond mines, over the last seven years, Masisi says the country has grown to be among the top two leading producers of diamonds by value for the last three decades.

“In the process of exploiting these resources, we have trained our people to the extent that all our diamond mines are now largely run and managed by citizens.”

Over the years, Masisi highlighted that Botswana has forged partnerships with the private sector to leverage technical capabilities and global reach. In addition, pursuing opportunities for training and skills development for citizens and pursuing opportunities for mining to develop linkages with the rest of the economy.

Meanwhile, Masisi has also implored players in the diamond industry to leverage on the accelerated adoption of new technologies, creating opportunities for innovative approaches to the marketing of diamonds, using platforms such block chain technologies to market diamonds.

“Such technologies further create opportunities to link the marketing of our diamonds with the pristine tourist destinations that Botswana offers.”