Jewelers Circular Keystone (JCK) reports that De Beers has resumed mining at three of its Botswana diamond mines.
The Jwaneng, Orapa and Letlhakane mines, the country's three largest mines, restarted operations Tuesday with some 5,800 people returning to work, the company said. Production had been suspended at the mines amid declining demand for diamonds due to the world financial crisis. Production at the fourth and smallest mine, Damtshaa, and at Orapa's No.2 Plant, will remain suspended until the end of 2009.
The mines are owned by Debswana, a joint venture between De Beers and the government of Botswana.
Stephen Lussier, chairman of De Beers Botswana, said in a statement: "The first quarter of 2009 was a challenging time. The men and women that work for Debswana responded swiftly to the global downturn, enabling the company to withstand the economic crisis. This accomplishment is all the more meaningful when considering the fact that, in the long term, with future growth in emerging markets, demand is likely to significantly outpace what is forecast to be lower levels of diamond supply for many years to come."
De Beers had suspended production at the Botswana mines in February. Production was halted for a total of 50 days.
Photo: Hauling kimberlite bearing ore at Jwaneng, the richest diamond mind in the world. Source: De Beers Group
Jewelers Circular Keystone (JCK) 
