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Botswana flags synthetic gem danger ahead of $6 bln diamond job launch

Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi on Wednesday called synthetic gems a hazard to the country's financial lifeblood, as the federal government readies to launch a $6 billion job to extend the life of its flagship Jwaneng diamond mine.

The natural diamond market has struggled in the past two years due to rising customer need for more affordable lab-grown diamonds, combined with worldwide macroeconomic volatility.

Masisi will participate this week at the JCK Show in Las Vegas, considered the world's largest jewellery trade event, to promote Botswana as a leading manufacturer of morally and responsibly sourced diamonds as the nation looks to secure its market share for natural diamonds.

According to industry watchdog Kimberley Process Accreditation Scheme information, Botswana produced 20% of the world's. overall rough diamonds in 2022, behind Russia. The southern. African country is, nevertheless, the world's top diamond manufacturer by. value.

The gems contribute as much as 40% of federal government revenue, 75% of. its foreign exchange incomes and a 3rd of nationwide output.

If laboratory grown diamonds take our area, then you and I are. ended up, Masisi informed press reporters as he departed for the United. States.

He added he would wage a serene assault against laboratory grown. diamonds, to provide confidence to our partners and dampen any. attraction to lab growns.

Botswana and its partner De Beers, set to be spun off by. moms and dad company Anglo American, plan to launch the first phase of. a $6 billion job on June 28 to extend the Jwaneng mine's. lifespan from the existing 2032 horizon to 2054.

The very first phase, anticipated to cost $1 billion, will establish. a drilling platform to make thorough sampling of. diamond-bearing rock easier. It will also establish important. facilities to support further phases of the job.

Jwaneng, in operation considering that 1982, produces an average 11. million carats each year, using 2,100 long-term employees and. 3200 professionals.

At the program, Masisi likewise prepares to lobby the United States. versus plans by the Group of 7 (G7) nations to make sure all. diamonds getting in the bloc pass initially through Antwerp in Belgium. for accreditation.

The U.S., which consumes around 40% of the world's diamonds,. is a leading member of the G7 bloc pushing for certification as. part of sanctions imposed on diamonds from Russia following its. invasion of Ukraine.

(source: Reuters)