Gaborone, 24 Feb-(ANA)-Debswana, a diamond producing firm jointly owned by Botswana's government and De Beers, will close two mines for the rest of the year as demand falls.
Debswana's four diamond mines will close on 25 February, but two of them will resume work on 14 April, De Beers said.
Its Damtshaa mine and Opara No. 2 Plants will be closed till the end of 2009, directly affecting 580 employees.
These workers will be redeployed within the company or offered voluntary early retirement and other incentives.
"These actions are being taken to mitigate the effects of the global downturn by reducing production during 2009 to align with demand, conserving cash for the company, protecting employment and maintaining readiness for an eventual upturn in the market," said De Beers. (ANA)
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