Orapa diamond mine, diamond mine
The Orapa diamond mine is the world's largest by area and sits in the town of Orapa in Botswana, roughly 150 miles west of Francistown. It is an open-pit operation built on two kimberlite pipes, the underground formations where diamonds are found.
The mine was discovered in 1967 by geologists working for De Beers, just one year after Botswana gained independence. Operations began in 1971 and have since become central to the country's economic growth, with diamond revenues funding major investments in roads, schools, and hospitals.
The name Orapa means 'resting place for lions' in the local language and reflects the region's heritage. The mine has become a symbol of economic progress for the community, providing work and prosperity to many families over decades.
The mine operates year-round with over 3,000 workers engaged in daily extraction and processing of materials. Visitors should know this is an active industrial site where safety regulations are strictly enforced and public access may be limited depending on current operations.
Beneath the mining area lie ancient lake sediments around 90 million years old that have preserved fossils of insects from prehistoric times. These geological layers make the location of scientific interest to researchers studying Earth's history.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
