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Diversifying: The Jwaneng diamond mine is the richest diamond mine in the world and is located in south-central Botswana about 120 kilometers west of the city of Gaborone, in the
Naledi river valley of the Kalahari. Photo: Peter Prokosch

Two giants lead Africa’s mining agenda

Botswana and Ghana have become emblematic of policies and strategies designed to strengthen the mining industry by building national participation, diversifying away from…

The new president-elect of Botswana is human rights lawyer Duma Boko.  (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images For 2nd CGDC Annual Meeting 2012)

Six decades of liberation party rule in Botswana end in shock

The Botswana Democratic Party suffered a humiliating defeat in last week’s parliamentary elections

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Botswana’s election highlights concerns over governance, corruption and its diamond economy

How finite resources are being managed is of major concern for the country’s civic sector and its citizens

Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi looks at a large diamond discovered in Botswana at his office in Gaborone on August 22, 2024. The 2492 carat diamond was discovered in the Karowe mine in Botswana of Lucara Diamond Company.  (Photo by MONIRUL BHUIYAN/AFP via Getty Images)

The panic behind Botswana’s big, sparkly diamond show

Diamonds account for 30% of the country’s economy, but lab-grown gems mean less demand for ones dug out of the soil

South African mining output decreased by 0.8% in May. Photo: Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg/Getty Images

Mining output down 0.8% in May

Production was dragged down mainly by diamonds and platinum-group metals

At a minimum, mining organisations must
develop context-specific cybersecurity strategies tailored to their unique operational needs. (Photo supplied)

Mining output decreased by 5% in February

Production was dragged down mainly by coal and diamonds and the industry also produced less copper, nickel, manganese and chromium ore

Sparkle: Botswana supplies at least 70% of De Beers’ rough diamonds. Debswana, an equal partnership between the government and the De Beers group, has four mines. Photo: Monirul Bhuiyan/AFP

ANALYSIS: Its a political game for Botswana and De Beers

Ahead of Botswana’s general elections in 2024, President Mokgweetsi Masisi uses De Beers partnership to win votes, say analysts

The Gradient Light from Philip Kramer brings the golden hour indoors.

Objects of Desire: African ateliers

Some of the continent’s finest goods made for the world, in Africa

The mining industry has the potential to grow if there is more investment in exploration projects. (Michele Spatari/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Mining output continues to be bruised by electricity blackouts

Production declined for the 12th consecutive month in January, the largest negative contributors being platinum group metals and diamonds

Harry Winston’s magnificent kaleidoscopic jewelry. Photo: Supplied
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Objects of Desire: Glamorous renaissance

Escape and transform the everyday through glamour

MIAMI BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 04: Singer Rihanna performs onstage at the Pepsi Super Bowl Fan Jam on February 4, 2010 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
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What will Rihanna perform at the Super Bowl Halftime Show?

After seven years without a new album we share eight songs we predict Rihanna will perform at the 2023 Super Bowl half-time show.

At a minimum, mining organisations must
develop context-specific cybersecurity strategies tailored to their unique operational needs. (Photo supplied)

Load-shedding hits mining output

Mining production falls for the 10th consecutive month.

Artisanal diamond mine on the outskirts of Koidu. (Photo: Josef Skrdlik/OCCRP)

Duplicity and destitution: Sierra Leone’s artisanal diamonds fail to benefit local communities

In anticipation of new legislation that will increase the royalties payable by mining companies to local communities, the OCCRP takes a deep dive into conditions underground

War for diamonds: How stones found at abandoned mines enter the illegal economy

But the new artisanal and small-scale mining policy may be a turning point for informal prospectors who want to mine legally

Desolate: An abandoned De Beers mine at Kleinzee in the Northern Cape (above), and a dog near an illicit
diamond mining site in Namaqualand (below). Photos: Madelene Cronje and Shaun Swingler/Ground Up

Of carrier pigeons and diamond smugglers

This is an extract from a new book Flight of the Diamond Smugglers: A Tale of Pigeons, Obsession, and Greed Along Coastal South Africa

Conflict of interest: Kumaro village  falls under the authority
of Paramount Chief Bona Foamansa III. (Saidu Bah)

Sierra Leoneans want a share of mining profits, or they want compensation

The arrival of a Chinese gold mining company in Kono, a diamond-rich district in the east of Sierra Leone, had a devastating impact on the local community, cutting its water…