Anglo American’s De Beers exit close as Botswana raises the stakes


Anglo American could soon exit De Beers, as a Bloomberg report indicates that the Global Diamond Consortium, the preferred bidder for the diamond producer, is inching closer to sealing a deal with Botswana. This is according to people familiar with the matter.

The deal could increase the Botswana government’s stake in De Beers from 15% to about 25%. Namibia, Angola, and private buyers have also shown interest.

According to Reuters, Global Diamond Consortium, led by former De Beers CEO Gareth Penny, was named preferred bidder in July.

A De Beers store on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, California. Image credit: , , via Wikimedia Commons

Anglo American put De Beers up for sale in May 2024 as part of a broader restructuring amid weak diamond prices and growing competition from synthetic diamonds.

In 2025, Anglo American announced that De Beers and the Botswana government signed new formal agreements for a 10-year sales agreement and a 25-year extension of Debswana’s mining licences.

Debswana operates the Jwaneng and Orapa diamond mines in Botswana and is a 50:50 joint venture between De Beers and Botswana.



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