Botswana has some of the largest and most valuable diamond mines in the world, such as Jwaneng and Orapa, both of which started production in the early 1970s. The Botswana government has a 50 percent share of each mine. Diamond mining has given Botswana a tremendous boost. One of the poorest countries in the world when it gained independence, in 1966, Botswana today is among the richest in Africa, with diamond-related activities accounting for nearly one-third of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Another interesting story lies in Australia. In 1979 geologists discovered the largest diamond deposit in the world by.
