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Letlhakane Diamond Mine

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Industrial site

Weather…

The Letlhakane Diamond Mine, a key asset in the Debswana portfolio, is situated in the diamond-rich Boteti sub-district and has been a major contributor to Botswana's economy since 1975. Historically known as a conventional open-pit mine, it gained a reputation for producing some of the highest-quality gemstones in the De Beers network. As the primary ore body reached the end of its economic life in 2017, the operation successfully transitioned into a large-scale tailings treatment facility. This innovative project involves reprocessing millions of tonnes of previously excavated material using advanced X-ray transmission (XRT) technology to recover diamonds that were bypassed by older processing methods. This transition has extended the operational life of the mine until at least 2043, ensuring continued economic stimulus for the surrounding communities and the national treasury. Letlhakane serves as a benchmark for sustainable mining, prioritizing water conservation and local procurement. The dividends and royalties from Letlhakane continue to fund critical public services, embodying Botswana's success story of transforming mineral wealth into human development and national prosperity.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is May, Aug, Sep.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	27	27	25	23	19	16	16	19	23	27	28	28
Rain mm	88	72	48	21	3	7	0	0	4	22	50	80

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?

The Letlhakane Diamond Mine is a significant mine in central Botswana, operated under the Debswana partnership. It continuously produces diamonds and is a major economic contributor to the country.

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Visiting

The mine is not open to the public for safety reasons, but there is a viewpoint from which to see the facilities. Occasionally, Debswana runs visitor centers that provide information about mining.

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Where to view it

The best viewpoint is a nearby hill offering a panoramic view of the open-pit and processing plants. The access road to the mine also provides sightlines to the extraction equipment.

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Local products

The region primarily extracts rough diamonds, which cannot be purchased directly. Local craft shops offer diamond jewelry and other gemstone products made by miners.

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Active season

Mining operations run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with regular maintenance shutdowns. Activity is consistently high year-round, independent of seasons.

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Nearby

Combine the mine visit with a trip to the nearby Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, known for its unique landscapes and wildlife. The town of Letlhakane also has accommodation and local markets.

Geography

Coordinates

-21.41000, 25.58000

Facts

Part of the Debswana Diamond Company joint venture
Transitioned to a tailings re-treatment operation in 2017
Expected to operate for an additional 25 years
Produces high-value gem-quality diamonds
Major financial supporter of the Boteti community
Implements automated sorting and processing systems

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Letlhakane Depression2 km · NEExplore →

Karowe Diamond Mine14 km · SWExplore →

Damtshaa Diamond Mine19 km · SEExplore →

Orapa Diamond Mine25 km · SExplore →

Kubu Island59 km · NEExplore →

Sowa Pan Soda Ash Plant101 km · NEExplore →

Makgadikgadi Pans112 km · SEExplore →

Makgadikgadi Zebra Migration126 km · SEExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

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Overnight stops

Vehicle

Only stops with (optional): 💧 Water ♻️ Disposal 🔌 Power 🚻 Toilets 🚿 Shower

Sights in the town Letlhakane Diamond Mine (1)

Letlhakane📍 landmark

Letlhakane is a mining settlement in Botswana, known for the eponymous diamond open-pit mine.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What is special about the Letlhakane Mine?

It is now mainly used for tailings resource processing.

Who owns the mine?

It also belongs to the Debswana group.

Are there hotels in Letlhakane?

Yes, the town features several accommodations for business travelers.

How far is the mine from Orapa?

It is located about 50 kilometers southeast of Orapa.

When did mining start?

Commercial mining began in 1975.

Letlhakane Diamond Mine: where is it located?

Letlhakane Diamond Mine is located in Botswana.

Letlhakane Diamond Mine: when is the best time to visit?

The most pleasant time to visit is May, Aug, Sep.

Letlhakane Diamond Mine: why is it worth visiting?

The Letlhakane Diamond Mine, a key asset in the Debswana portfolio, is situated in the diamond-rich Boteti sub-district and has been a major contributor to Botswana's economy since 1975.

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