Debswana, the 50/50 joint venture between De Beers Group and the Government of Botswana, has placed two of its facilities—Letlhakane Tailings Plant (LTP) and Jwaneng Modular Plant (JMP)—on care and maintenance due to current conditions in the global diamond market.
Production Targets and Plant Status
The decision, effective from the end of March 2025, follows a recent downward revision of Debswana’s annual production forecast. The 2025 target has been reduced from 18 million carats to 15 million carats.
LTP and JMP process coarse tailings—the residual material left after primary diamond recovery. These plants support diamond recovery beyond initial extraction. Employees from the affected plants will be redeployed within the business.
Shift in Operational Priorities
The suspension reflects a strategic decision to concentrate on core operations. Debswana has confirmed it will focus on open-pit mining and processing run-of-mine ore, rather than tailings, to support longer-term operational planning.
The Damtshaa mine, which has been in care and maintenance since 2021 following the COVID-19 pandemic, will also remain inactive. A spokesperson said the facilities will remain on care and maintenance “until market conditions justify restoring additional processing capacity.”
Market and Industry Context
Debswana’s reduced production aligns with ongoing challenges in the global rough diamond market. Lower output may influence availability of certain categories of goods, depending on existing inventories and midstream demand.
Ongoing adjustments to production levels may affect inventory cycles and supply chain planning within the jewellery sector.
