Orapa diamond mine
The
Orapa diamond mine is the world's largest
diamond mine. The mine is located in
Botswana about 240 kilometers (150 miles) west of the city of
Francistown. Orapa ("resting place for lions") is owned by
Debswana, a
partnership between the
De Beers company and the government of Botswana. It is the oldest of four mines operated by the company, having begun operations in July
1971.
Orapa is of
open pit construction and is the largest diamond mine in the world by area. The mine is located on two
kimberlite pipes that converge near the surface, covering 1.18 square kilometres at ground level. Orapa operates seven days per week, and produces 20 million tons per year of
ore and an additional 40 million tons per year of waste rock. In
2003, the Orapa mine produced 16.3 million
carats (3260 kg) of diamond. The recoverable
ore grade at the mine is about 0.87 carats (174 mg) per ton. The mine was expanded in
1999, doubling its previous capacity. The processing plant at Orapa processes the ore produced at Orapa as well as two of Debswana's three other mines, the
Letlhakane and
Damtshaa diamond mines.
Orapa and its sister mine Letlhakane employ over 3,100. Debswana also maintains a 100 bed
hospital, pre-primary and primary schools for employees' children, and the
Orapa game park. The mine maintains an
ISO 14001 certificate for environmental compliance, and places some importance on
water conservation and
waste management.
*
Debswana diamond mines (Retrieved April 13, 2005)
