Deep inside Jwaneng , the world 's richest diamond mine in southern Botswana , Tshepo Kgomokhumo drives his massive truck through piles of rocks forming a lunar-like landscape . His job is to ferry away ton after ton of unwanted rocks while a small army of bulldozers near him tears into the earth 's crust in search of the precious stones . `` I 'm a soldier for my country , '' Kgomokhumo says . For him , as well as many others in this small , arid country , diamonds are a source of both income and pride . The economy of Botswana , a landlocked country in southern Africa , has been transformed by diamonds . Since their discovery in late 1960s , the development of the country has been built on the gems buried deep in its soil . In 1969 , the Botswana government signed a 50/50 deal with global diamond giant De Beers to explore and mine all of the country 's diamonds . The partnership , called 'Debswana , ' has helped turn Botswana into one of Africa 's most prosperous countries , boasting today a robust economy and one of the highest per capita incomes on the continent . The state mines the country 's riches as an owner , getting a share of the profit in addition to just collecting taxes and royalties like many other mineral-rich African governments . This unique arrangement has allowed Botswana to make significant investments in education and health care , officials say . `` Since we partnered with De Beers , we have a lot to show from any community development standpoint , '' says Bank of Botswana governor Linah Mohohlo . She notes that this model can be emulated in other parts of the continent . `` If you were to replicate what we do in Botswana in other African countries , I have no doubt in my mind that there could be meaningful gains . '' Watch : Inside Zimbabwe 's diamond industry . And now , Botswana 's diamond industry looks set to get a further boost after De Beers announced last year its decision to shift its rough diamond trading operation from London to Gaborone , the Botswana capital . The company says it expects the move to bring an extra $ 6 billion of diamond sales into the country . A new head office is also under construction while 80 staff members will be relocated from Europe to Africa . Watch : High-tech scanning machines safeguard diamonds . Kago Mmopi , of the Diamond Trading Corporation , says the sales agreement will set up Botswana as one of the world 's key diamond centers . `` These diamonds are basically your top-of-the-range kind of diamonds , '' he says . `` These are gem diamonds , they will certainly go for jewelry . '' Read more : Botswana 's fearless legal eagle fights male bias . Those close to the deal say the impact of the De Beers move will be felt in many other ways too . Some international banks , which finance the diamond industry , have applied for banking licenses , says the government . Mohohlo notes that that extra $ 6 billion flowing through the country 's banking system is the `` most significant '' offshoot of the deal . `` I was engaged in those negotiations and they were hard , long and daunting , '' she says . `` When you have partners , you ca n't always agree . But it is important that ultimately we agreed on what we believe serves both interests . '' Officials also hope that more people in the country will now be trained and employed in the diamond industry -- 'Debswana ' is already Botswana 's biggest private employer . It is also expected that a growing number of companies will seek to set up shop in the country to have direct access to its rough gems . Yet , authorities are quick to point out that the country can not rely solely on the precious stones , especially as diamond sales have been hard-hit in recent times amid the financial crisis . Read more : Botswana 's heavy metal heads . `` That is obviously a worrying phenomenon , '' says says Ponatshego Kedikilwe , the country 's minerals minister . `` The dependence on diamonds only has been given us sleepless nights , whether it 's in terms of revenue , foreign exchange or taxes and the budget . '' Mohohlo adds that the government is aware that diamonds are exhaustible and non-renewable . `` Therefore we have to continue to ensure that the benefits deriving from them are there for everybody to see , '' she says . For now , though , Botswana 's economic future is linked to the precious stones still buried in the soil . The diamonds allure is enduring as people still consume them faster than they are being mined . And a growing gap between supply and demand will , for now , keep prices high .
De Beers is moving its rough diamond trading operation to Botswana . The move is expected to boost the country 's booming diamond industry . Diamonds have helped turn Botswana into one of Africa 's most prosperous countries . Officials say they are aware that diamonds are exhaustible .