By: Creamer media

He noted that Debswana itself was founded on a partnership model between government and the private sector, combining mineral ownership and policy leadership with technical mining expertise. This framework, he said, has demonstrated how collaboration enables more efficient and responsible resource development.

Building on more than five decades of operational experience, the company is now extending its capabilities through its subsidiary, Naledi, which is pursuing partnerships with other mining houses across Africa. Through these partnerships, Debswana aims to deploy its technical skills, systems and workforce — described as “human diamonds” — to support projects where partners hold mineral assets but require mining expertise.

With diamond resources finite, the company is also advancing a diversification strategy focused on future-facing opportunities. These include developing carbon-neutral and ethically produced diamonds in response to changing consumer expectations, supported by expanded solar generation capacity.

Koolatotse said Botswana’s strong solar potential could also position the country as a regional green-energy supplier, supporting both mining decarbonisation and broader economic development, while reinforcing the credibility and sustainability credentials of natural diamonds.

Watch a video in which Debswana Diamond Company COO Koolatotse Koolatotse speaks to Engineering News & Mining Weekly at Investing in African Mining Indaba in Cape Town.