Photo by: ©Bloomberg
Name of the Project
Jwaneng underground project.
Location
Botswana.
Project Owner/s
Debswana, the 50:50 diamond mining joint venture between De Beers Group and the government of Botswana.
Project Description
The project entails the development a modern underground mine anchored in Debswana’s One Dream, One Team strategic pillar, which focuses on safety, environmental responsibility, skilled-workforce development, sustainable communities, innovation and technology, as well as high-efficiency processes.
The mine will be strategically developed to ensure there is no production gap between the end of operations at the Cut 9 openpit and the mine’s transition to underground operations.
The Jwaneng project is evaluating various technologies – such as autonomous machinery, digital twinning, three-dimensional mapping and augmented reality – to enhance safety, efficiency and sustainability, thereby positioning the mine as a future-proofed, smart connected mine.
Studies are under way to determine the parameters within which steady-state production performance will operate.
Potential Job Creation
The project will contribute to local infrastructure development, employment creation and technological advancement, thereby enhancing workforce skills.
Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.
Capital Expenditure
About $1-billion.
Planned Start/End Date
The first phase of the underground mine, expected to start in 2027, will focus on extracting resources remaining after the Cut 9 pit closes, while Phase 2, envisioned to start in the mid-2030s, will extend the mine’s life by about ten years from the end of the Phase 1 underground mine.
Latest Developments
Early works at the underground site are in progress, including all preparatory works required to support the development of the exploration access to the underground portion of the mine.
Preparatory works encompass the development of highwall support works at the Bench 19 in-pit portal area, and contractor infrastructure such as workshops, equipment assembly pads, lamp rooms, change rooms and offices, as well as various utilities and services such as water, electricity, compressed air and communications. These works also involve the refurbishment of a contractors’ camp.
Underground exploration access will be developed from the Bench 19 in-pit portal and will facilitate gathering of geoscience information from an underground drilling platform to allow for the upgrading of the mineral resource at depth.
Further, the exploration access will expedite the establishment of the backbone infrastructure upon which Phase 1 of the underground mine will be developed.
The execution of the exploration access is planned to start in June.
Studies for the Phase 1 underground mine are ongoing, concurrently with the exploration access study.
Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.
Contact Details for Project Information
De Beers Group press office, tel +44 20 7430 3434 or email pressoffice@debeersgroup.com.