05 Nov 2014

“This is a fantastic team, a well-oiled piece of equipment and a team to take on the world.” 

These were the eulogies of Lucara Diamond Corporation (holding company for Boteti Mining) chief operations officer (COO) Mr Paul Day during celebration of a successful one million carats of diamonds recovered from Karowe Mine in Letlhkane on November 1. 

Speaking during the celebration Mr Day however, warned that no single entity was a greater contributor than the other in the achievement but maintained they were ‘an incredible team.’

He told the gathering that his ‘fantastic team’ prided itself with success despite many thinking one million carats was an achievement impossible.

“They have overcome safety challenges, environmental challenges and technical challenges whether in the field of geology, mining process or engineering,” said Mr Day who observed that the team had the capacity to ‘take on the world.’

In a list of those extoled for a job well done were various stakeholders such as Kalcon Company, Minopex DRA and other contractors for their crucial roles in ensuring the success of one million carats of diamonds recovered from the mine in their territory. . 

“We have achieved not only one million carats but we have recovered to date arguably the most beautiful diamonds ever to come out of this country,” he said and claimed that they were, ‘diamonds that are talked about on the streets of London, New York and Paris.

Though ecstatic about the aesthetic value of diamonds recovered by Karowe, Mr Day sounded warning bells to his lieutenants that they needed to work extra hard to achieve many more carats despite the challenges lying ahead. 

Consequently, Mr Day encouraged employees to spend the better part of their time thinking ahead rather than procrastinating in the past. 

“Watch out, here we come,” Mr Day rung the warning bells to other big mining corporations of their intent to become one of the giants of mining whilst adhering to the safety standards expected of them. 

In his welcome remarks Johan Mchive of Karowe said the celebration marked one of their biggest pillars being success. He challenged his fellow workers to reflect on how they succeeded despite being one of the few entities to have had outsourced the major part of their core functions.  ENDS