De Beers: We Are Not Working in CKGR

De Beers is not performing any operations in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. While Survival International claims that this comes following pressure it applied on the diamond miner, De Beers said did nothing more than hold consultations regarding possible operations in the CKGR.

De Beers told IDEX Online it consulted Bushmen living in the reserve.

According to Survival International De Beers began its latest operations in the CKGR last month.

“De Beers suspended all operating activities in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) in 2004,” De Beers Media Relations Manager Lynette Gould told IDEX Online, adding that the company sold its interests in the Gope Project to Gem Diamonds in January 2007. De Beers does, however, retain a number of prospecting licenses in the CKGR that are due to expire in 2009.  

“De Beers initiated a broad stakeholder consultation process on September 18th 2008 to evaluate the feasibility of conducting low impact, short-term exploratory work in our remaining license areas in the reserve.”

According to Gould, the discussions reaffirmed De Beers' view that, “until such time as sustainable long-term management plan for the CKGR is agreed, we will continue to focus our exploration activities in areas outside the CKGR.”

Finally, Gould said the decision not to proceed was not the result of pressure from Survival International.