VZCZCXRO0126
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHOR #0322 1110819
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 210819Z APR 09 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY GABORONE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5724
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE

UNCLAS GABORONE 000322 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF/S, CA/OCS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EMIN ECON CASC SENV BC
SUBJECT: BOTSWANA: DIAMOND MINES REOPEN, FLOODS IN NORTHWEST 
 
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Diamond Mines Re-Open 
--------------------- 
¶1.  On April 15, Debswana (the mining company that is a joint 
venture between DeBeers and the Government of Botswana) re-opened 
its three main diamond mines at Jwaneng, Letlhakane and Orapa. 
Debswana's mines are normally closed for 4-6 weeks over the 
Christmas holidays, however this year the holiday shut down was 
greatly extended due to the global recession.  When the mines were 
originally expected to re-open in late January, Debswana announced 
that due to slack demand for diamonds on the world market, its 
Botswana mines would remain closed until after Easter.  Debswana's 
spokesperson, Esther Kanaimba, said diamonds were not selling as 
well as had been expected on the international market, especially in 
Debswana's largest market the United States.  Thus, the mines were 
closed for an additional two months to cut the company's operational 
costs during a time of diminished demand.  She reported that 
Debswana's two smaller diamond mines, Damtshaa and Orapa No. 2, are 
expected to remain closed for the rest of 2009.  Some employees from 
the closed mines have been redeployed to the open mines. 
 
¶2.  During the suspension of operations, Debswana carried out 
maintenance work on its major assets to prepare for a return to full 
production when the markets rebound.  Debswana continued selling 
small quantities of diamonds during the suspension of operations to 
meet the demands of its trading wing, the Diamond Trading Company 
(DTC).  Debswana says it realized substantial savings from the two 
shutdowns, in December/January and February/March/April which 
mitigated the company's bottom line. 
 
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Northwest Botswana Hard Hit By Floods 
------------------------------------- 
¶3.  Recent heavy rains in Angola have caused severe flooding in the 
north and northwestern parts of Botswana, including the Chobe 
District and the Okavango District, home of the world famous delta 
and tourism destination.  One village in the Chobe district, Satau, 
has been completely isolated by the rising flood waters.  Fifteen 
families in the village were relocated to safer, higher ground. 
However, one resident drowned when a canoe he was using to ferry his 
family to safety capsized.  The Department of National Disaster 
Management has assisted residents with relief aid in the form of 
tents, food rations and water purifiers. 
 
¶4.  In the Okavango district, 115 households (608 people) have been 
displaced in several villages.  Food rations, tents, portable 
toilets and mosquito nets have been supplied to the displaced 
residents.  An official of the National Disaster Management said 
relief efforts are going on well. 
 
¶5.  Some safari lodges in these districts have been forced to 
relocate tourists.   Thus far, the Consular Section in Gaborone has 
received no calls for ACS services from American tourists in the 
affected areas.  (Typically, Botswana's safari lodges have 
sufficient contingency plans and equipment in place to handle any 
needed evacuations, whether medical or weather related.)   However, 
the Consular Section is also monitoring the flooding in case the 
situation changes and any assistance to American tourists or 
residents is required. 
 
Nolan