Page 30 - issue 25

30 Business

The 4Cs of

success for

the

Diamond

ecosystem

he 2019 DeBeers Diamond status. The Conference was also a to keep them in sync with changes
conference is one of the few milestone event in that the Government and completely eliminate modern
Tannual events in Botswana that of Botswana and DeBeers group were day diamond mining related criminal
bring together leaders from diamond celebrating a Golden Jubilee of their activities.
producer countries and the diamond partnership. The President also made a note of the
industry. The programme resulted in The theme was titled ‘the 4Cs of success third ‘C’ which stands for community
engaging dialogue geared towards for the Diamond ecosystem which are which is more of establishing a
creating a positive and sustainable consumer, community commercial and community based approach that
diamond ecosystem. collaboration.’On discussing the first ‘C’, enhances sustainability of the diamond
Dr Masisi told the delegates that,” the industry. DeBeers pledged that in each
Over 1000 corporate leaders, diamond industry must take cognizance community diamonds are found they
government officials, diamond industry of the ever changing and shifting would create jobs, improve education
thought leaders joined the President consumer landscape across the world. and healthcare as well as build
of the Republic of Botswana, Dr Masisi Social media is playing an important role the necessary infrastructure to aid
and the Minister of Mineral Resources, in the influence of purchase decisions of development efforts of the government
Green Technology and Energy Security consumers. and other stakeholders.
as well as the De Beers CEO at the
conference with the goal of creating Furthermore, consumers are becoming Commercialisation was the last ‘C’ and
real plans for action for action for the increasingly aware of international this is meant to direct the conference
diamond industry. social issues and they are demanding to explore new opportunities to create
more responsible business practices.” a self-regulating and an evidence based
Presentations were made by key He went on to give an example of innovation pipeline that will support
personnel such as Naseem Lahri, the Kimberley process certification commercial longevity of mining in the
Managing Director of Lucara Botswana scheme which has been credited with a future global context.
and Mr. Vartkbess Knadijian from significant reduction in diamonds from
Backes and Strauss Switzerland as well areas of conflict. Dr Masisi highlighted In his concluding remarks he reminded
as the international celebrity comedian that this was a demonstration of how the delegates that full beneficiation
Steve Harvey attended and spoke to the government, the private sector and civil within the diamond industry remains
delegates present. society can work together and restore a key objective of the country’s
consumer confidence. diversification drive. “we need to
The President officially opened this move up the pipeline to jewelry
event. In his opening statement he said The second ‘C’ being Collaboration manufacturing and retail. Participation
that he pledges to lead Botswana to its should interrogate the value of the at these upmarket levels will go a long
next stage of transformation which is existing collaborative relationships to way in promoting the development
aimed at graduating the country from address shared risks that impact the of Gaborone as a ‘Diamond City’,
a middle class status to high income diamond industry and review processes and Botswana as the number one
destination.”

Issue 25 - Dec/Jan 2020 www.engineermagazine.co.bw