Mmetla Masire on how to increase Batswana’s involvement in the diamond industry

Botswana is setting its sights on increasing the involvement of its own people in the country's lucrative diamond industry. The goal is to renegotiate the partnership with De Beers to ensure full beneficiation in the industry, according to Mmetla Masire, the permanent secretary in the country's mineral resources ministry. Speaking at the 2019 Diamond Industry Conference in Cabaroni, Masire highlighted the need to maximize the benefits for Botswana. While acknowledging the existing benefits from the current agreement with De Beers, Masire stressed the importance of increasing direct local participation to ensure that individuals in the country also benefit. One of the key points Masire made during the interview was the desire to see more Botswana involvement in the diamond industry. He emphasized the need to move beyond just benefiting as a country and to focus on individual levels as well. Masire highlighted the need to explore ways to increase local participation and ensure that the benefits are spread across the population. Another important aspect Masire touched upon was the drive to industrialize Africa and develop the diamond industry within Botswana. He mentioned a beneficiation strategy aimed at growing the industry and expressed the desire to see a stronger emphasis on local benefits in the ongoing negotiations. Masire indicated that focusing on value addition is crucial to getting more Botswana involved and tapping into the full potential of the industry. When discussing the timeline for achieving full beneficiation, Masire acknowledged the challenges but remained optimistic. While cutting and polishing are already underway in Botswana with a number of factories in operation, areas like geology and retail pose different challenges. Despite the hurdles, Masire believes that with the right strategy and determination, Botswana can make significant progress in these areas. He pointed to the success in cutting and polishing as a testament to the country's potential to expand into jewelry and retail. In terms of increasing the amount of diamonds sold in the local market, Masire highlighted two options. The first involves negotiating for a higher percentage than the current 15% allocated for local sale. The second focuses on ensuring that a significant portion of the 15% remains within the country instead of being sold externally. Additionally, discussions with De Beers are ongoing to explore possibilities for further increasing local access to diamonds for cutting and polishing. Masire also addressed the potential for collaboration within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to enhance regional value chains in diamond beneficiation. While there is no formal structure in place, Masire emphasized the importance of closer cooperation among SADC countries to support each other in driving the objectives and goals of the region. On the issue of synthetic diamonds, Botswana's stance is crystal clear. The country is firmly committed to natural diamonds and is closely monitoring developments in the synthetic diamond market. While acknowledging the existence of synthetic diamonds, Botswana remains focused on promoting natural diamonds. Through partnerships with industry players like De Beers and projects like the Lightbox project, Botswana is staying informed and prepared to address any challenges that may arise. As Botswana navigates the complexities of the diamond industry and seeks to increase local participation, the road ahead may be challenging. However, with a strategic focus on beneficiation, collaboration within the region, and a steadfast commitment to natural diamonds, Botswana is paving the way for a more inclusive and sustainable diamond industry for its people.