GABORONE, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Debswana Diamond Company, Botswana's leading diamond mining company, has started using solar energy in the mining operations and will scale up its use next year as the country is moving toward clean energy, President Mokgweetsi Masisi said Monday.
Masisi made this revelation while addressing the 2023 Natural Diamond Summit in Gaborone, the capital of Botswana, which was held under the theme "Sustainability -- People, Product and Planet."
According to Masisi, the use of solar energy and biodiesel has already started at the Debswana mines, namely Jwaneng Mine, Orapa Letlhakane and Damtshaa Mines and Morupule Coal Mine, and the plan is to scale up these projects in 2024.
In this regard, Masisi said the Debswana Diamond Company is committed to being carbon-neutral by 2030 through minimizing its water footprint and delivering a net positive impact on biodiversity.
Debswana, a 50/50 joint venture between the government of Botswana and the South African diamond company De Beers, is focusing on decarbonizing electricity. ■