De Beers Inaugurates the World’s Largest and Most Advanced Diamond Sorting Center

March 19, 2008 - PRLog -- Yesterday, De Beers inaugurated the world’s largest and most advanced diamond sorting center in Botswana. The new center, which will be operated by DTC Botswana, is the outcome of an agreement signed in May 2006 between Debswana and DTC regarding the extension of the marketing agreement between the two companies.



As the world’s largest diamond sorting center, DTCB will handle 34 million carats of Botswana’s rough diamond produce annually. A volume of rough diamonds valued at $375 million will be sold to DTCB sightholders in 2008. The sum is expected to rise to $550 million in 2009.



Rough valued at $270 million was supplied to local manufacturers during 2007 – which generated employment for 2,000 people.



In November 2007, DTCB announced its list of sightholders, thereby making official the supply agreements with 16 licensed manufacturers in Botswana which met DTC criteria.



The diamond sorting center in Botswana was established by De Beers and has been fitted with the most advanced equipment in existence today. 39 sorting machines with an annual sorting capacity of 45 million carats were installed. The center will provide employment for a staff of 600 and will sort all of the rough produced by Debswana. For the first time the company will conduct marking and sales activities for the local market.



Botswana President Festus D. Mogae, the Vice President and De Beers Chairman Nicky Oppenheimer attended the event. President Mogae stated: “For the citizens of Botswana, the Diamond Trading Company Botswana will bring with it increased employment and training opportunities. It will further provide Government with another significant revenue stream, to finance further development. It will also raise our nation's global profile by becoming a benchmark brand of local excellence.”



Nickey Oppenheimer noted that the opening of the building was a true celebration, and an important milestone in the enduring partnership between De Beers and the people of Botswana.

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