Building Forever – Details, episodes & analysis

Episode 11: Empowering Artisanal Miners in Sierra Leone 

In this episode, we’re focusing on the topic of artisanal mining and how, by supporting small-scale miners, we’re helping create a better diamond world for everyone. 

Artisanal mining accounts for 20 per cent of the global mining industry and so, as market leaders, we’re building the ethical foundations of a fairer industry and making positive change throughout the diamond value chain. 

We speak to Ruby Stocklin-Weinberg, George Boima Abdulai and Musa Saquee at GemFair, a De Beers group programme based in Sierra Leone. Together they unpack how they’re creating a secure route to market for small-scale miners and helping them get a fair price for their diamonds. 

Ethical practice, thriving communities, equal opportunity and the natural world are topics teeming with questions – and if you’ve got one for us, we’d love to hear from you. So, if there’s something you think we should discuss in a future episode, do get in touch with us at debeersgroupcommunications@debeersgroup.com. 

If you’re enjoying the show, please share it with someone you think might enjoy it as well. Never miss another show by following us at Anchor or wherever you subscribe to your podcasts. 

Today, you’ll learn about: 

• GemFair and its work in Sierra Leone. 02.53 
• How GemFair training officers are tackling human rights abuses. 06:51 
• The female miners in Kenema getting a fair price for their diamonds. 08:46 
• The challenges facing the artisanal mining sector. 11:04 
• Ruby, George and Musa shout out the people at GemFair making change happen. 13:03. 

Resources 

Find out more about GemFair’s work connecting artisanal miners to the global diamond marketplace on its website. 

Transcript

Click here to access a full transcript of this episode.

Episode 10: Diamonds Doing Good

In this episode, we find out how natural diamonds are doing good in the countries they’re discovered and – how through them – we’re helping bring Building Forever to life in Namibia.

As one of the key contributors to the Namibian economy, we’ll find out how, in partnership with the Namibian government, we’re making a positive impact on the country’s people and communities for decades to come.

We speak to Selma Usiku, Projects Geologist in Mineral Resource Management from Debmarine Namibia and Emmarencia Shanglee, Project Manager – Strategic Projects at Namdeb, about their work and how our diamonds are doing good across the region.

Ethical practice, thriving communities, equal opportunity and the natural world are topics teeming with questions – and if you’ve got one for us, we’d love to hear from you. So, if there’s something you think we should discuss in a future episode, do get in touch with us at debeersgroupcommunications@debeersgroup.com

If you’re enjoying the show, please share it with someone you think might enjoy it as well. Never miss another show by following us at Anchor or wherever you subscribe to your podcasts.

Today, you’ll learn about:

• The natural beauty of Namibia. 02.03
• Oranjemund and our positive impact on education. 04:52
• The reality of Building Forever in Namibia. 08.33
• How diamonds are doing good in the region. 14.38
• How we’re continuing to make a positive mark on the region. 17.01
• Selma and Emmarencia shout out those colleagues making change happen. 19.48

Transcript

Click here to access a full transcript of this episode.

Episode Three: Leading Ethical Practices Across Industry

In this episode, we talk about our commitments to sourcing diamonds responsibly, using our rigorous industry-wide standards, the Best Practice Principles (BPPs). We also shine a light on the not insignificant 25% of the industry made up of small-scale and artisanal miners. We share how we’re dedicated to keep standards high, no matter the source.

We begin by talking to Feriel Zerouki, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs at De Beers, Elodie Daguzan, Executive Director at the World Diamond Council, and Iris van de Veken, Executive Director of the Responsible Jewellery Council. They share their views on how, together, we make sure diamonds are conflict-free in a complex and constantly evolving industry.

Later in the episode, we hear from Raymond Alpha and Rebecca Kumba Missa of GemFair who are working with small-scale and artisanal miners in Sierra Leone to introduce safe and sustainable standards. We also answer one of our listeners’ burning questions on Leading Ethical Practices Across Industry.

Ethical practice, thriving communities, equal opportunity and the natural world are topics teeming with questions – and if you’ve got one for us, we’d love to hear from you. So if there’s something you think we should discuss in a future episode, do get in touch with us.

You’ll find us at debeersgroupcommunications@debeersgroup.com or reach out on Twitter, @debeersgroup, using the hashtag #BuildingForever

If you’re enjoying the show, please share it with someone you think might enjoy it as well. Never miss another show by following us at ANCHOR.

Today, you’ll learn about:

· Conflict diamonds – unpacking the description 03:52

· The Kimberly Process and what it means to the industry 04:05

· Standards – and why you should care 12:03

· The strength of the Best Practice Principles 13:12

· What consumers want: the shift 17:37

· The benefits to local economies and communities 33:00

· Small scale and artisanal mining 35:44

· The hazards – and how De Beers is making a difference 38:06

Resources

Find out more about the Best Practice Principles

Read more about GemFair

Explore De Beers’ Building Forever goals

Transcript

Click here to access a full transcript of this episode.

Episode Two: Protecting the Natural World

On this episode, we talk about what we see as our responsibility to protect beautiful landscapes, unique plants and remarkable wildlife for future generations. We’re passionate about preserving them; diamonds are a treasure of nature so, as we recover them, it’s only right that we treasure nature in return.

We speak to Werner Taljaard, broadcasting from his home at our Venetia Limpopo Nature Reserve in South Africa, and Eben van Heerden, our ecology manager, as they discuss how together, we’re committed to proactive action to ensure positive outcomes for the natural world for generations to come. And listen to the mystery animal sound and see if you can guess which creature Werner was with when he recorded it for us.

Stay tuned later to hear from some of the bright new voices from our Developing Conservation Leaders project in partnership with Fauna & Flora International, as well as the answers to one of the burning questions asked at our protecting the natural world live Q&A.

Ethical practice, thriving communities, equal opportunity and the natural world are topics teeming with questions – and if you’ve got one for us, we’d love to hear from you. So if there’s something you think we should discuss in a future episode, do get in touch with us.

You’ll find us at debeersgroupcommunications@debeersgroup.com or reach out on Twitter, @debeersgroup, using the hashtag #BuildingForever

If you’re enjoying the show, please share it with someone you think might enjoy it as well. Never miss another show by following us at ANCHOR.

Today, you’ll learn about:

• Guess the mystery sound, what creature is this? 01:00
  
• When your home is also your job, the dreams and dramas of daily life to prepare for 02:30
  
• The challenges of isolation and truly living in the wild 04:00
  
• The front line of conservation and how the impact of today carries over to tomorrow 05:30
  
• Rewilding and the power of mother nature 07:40
  
• How to have a family life on a nature reserve 11:00
  
• At-risk animals and how to create a balanced ecosystem 12:50
  
• The next generation of conservation 15:30
  
• Career conservationists and our partnership with Fauna & Flora International 17:00
  
• Protecting the Sperrgebiet 18:00
  
• The voices of conservation 20:00
  
• What it means to protect the natural world 22:00
  
• What animals our career conservationists are most drawn to 27:00
  
• Balancing the conflict between working for a mining company and wanting to protect the natural world 30:00
  
• The mystery animal is revealed 32:00

Resources

Find out more about the Conservation Leadership Programme

Read more about Fauna & Flora International’s pioneering work

Explore De Beers' Building Forever goals 

Transcript

Click here to access a full transcript of of this episode.

Episode One: Accelerating Equal Opportunity

On this inaugural episode, we talk about how huge barriers still get in the way of progress towards a future that is fair and equal for all – and that means action is more important than ever.

UN Women’s Dinal Limbachia and our own Katie Fergusson, Senior Vice President of Sustainable Impact, share how we’re committing to making a difference.

Stay tuned to hear from our Head of Equity and Inclusion, Shahila Perumalpillai, as she answers one of the burning questions we heard at our Accelerating Equal Opportunity live Q&A.

Ethical practice, thriving communities, equal opportunity and the natural world are topics teeming with questions – and if you’ve got one for us, we’d love to hear from you. So if there’s something you think we should discuss in a future episode, do get in touch with us.

You’ll find us at debeersgroupcommunications@debeersgroup.com or reach out on Twitter, @debeersgroup, using the hashtag #BuildingForever

If you’re enjoying the show, please share it with someone you think might enjoy it as well. Never miss another show by following us at Anchor or wherever you subscribe to your podcasts.

Today, you’ll learn about:

• Gender pay parity – and how to find the energy to keep talking about it 04:20
  
• How the word feminism is alienating women and men from the gender conversation 07:50
  
• A uniting movement for everyone: HeForShe 10:00
  
• How UN Women holds De Beers Group to account on its progress 11:50
  
• How to get people interested in gender equality when the answers aren’t as obvious as swapping out plastic water bottles in sustainability 16:00
  
• The business case for diversity 18:30
  
• The difference accelerating women-owned micro-businesses is making 20:00
  
• The benefits of partnering with UN Women 23:30
  
• The lurking ‘shadow’ pandemic – and what it means when businesses show up for their people 27:30
  
• How to create a psychologically safe space for people to open up 30:00
  
• Commitment and delivery 32:00
  
• Whether gender parity will ever be resolved by organisations 35:30
  

Resources

Take 10 seconds to join the millions of people who have shown the world they stand on the right side of history and make a HeForShe commitment.

If you’re still struggling with what to do and how to help, look out for UN Women’s Proven Solutions, coming 27 May.

Transcript

Click here to access a full transcript of this episode.

In this episode, we find out how we’re tackling climate change and nature loss from those who are leading by example. Because while we’re already acting to minimise our operational carbon footprint, everyone has a part to play in moving from words to deeds and adopting more sustainable behaviours. 

We speak to Elmarie Snyman, Sustainability Officer at Namdeb – Oranjemund, Charlotte Johns, Sustainability Integration Manager, and Alice Kgopana, Safety and Sustainability Manager, Diamond Trading – Botswana, about how they’re making change happen locally while supercharging our efforts across the Group.

Ethical practice, thriving communities, equal opportunity and the natural world are topics teeming with questions – and if you’ve got one for us, we’d love to hear from you. So, if there’s something you think we should discuss in a future episode, do get in touch with us at debeersgroupcommunications@debeersgroup.com.

If you’re enjoying the show, please share it with someone you think might enjoy it as well. Never miss another show by following us at Anchor or wherever you subscribe to your podcasts.

Today, you’ll learn about:

·       How climate has been impacting our people around the world. 01:28

·       What motivates people to take action against climate change. 04:17

·       What the Climate Action Team are working on and how it’s transforming words into actions. 07:45

·       How we’ve been harnessing Deedster to make an impact and measure progress. 11:26

·       How Diamond Trading Botswana is being more sustainable in its Gaborone office. 15:02

·       The most important thing Elmarie, Charlotte and Alice each want to achieve over the next 12 months. 18:17

Resources

Learn more about what we’re doing to protect the planet by partnering for thriving communities through Building Forever. 

Transcript

Click here to access a full transcript of this episode.

Minisode Two: A Day in the Life of a Forewoman at Venetia Mine

In this minisode, we talk to Nkhensani Malongete, a senior forewoman at our Venetia Mine.

Nkhensani tells her incredible story as one of the first women to work as a Forewoman at the mine. We also find out how we’re making a real difference in the communities in which we operate. 

Ethical practice, thriving communities, equal opportunity and the natural world are topics teeming with questions – and if you’ve got one for us, we’d love to hear from you. So, if there’s something you think we should discuss in a future episode, do get in touch with us. 

You’ll find us at debeersgroupcommunications@debeersgroup.com.  

If you’re enjoying the show, please share it with someone you think might enjoy it as well. Never miss another show by following us on Anchor or wherever you subscribe to your podcasts. 

Today, you’ll learn about: 

• Nkhensani’s journey to working at the Venetia Mine. 01:06 
• An average day for Nkhensani. 06:18 
• The importance of maintaining a zero-harm environment. 10:24 
• Tackling water scarcity on site. 11:35 
• Making a positive impact in local communities. 13:20 

Minisode One: How to be an Entrepreneur in South Africa

In this minisode, we talk to Ditshego Sebudubudu, a 30-year-old entrepreneur living and working in South Africa.

Ditshego is the sole director of Kamogelo ya khutso pty (ltd), a courier service contracted at our Venetia Mine. We find out about her journey as an entrepreneur, from her first startup to becoming a contractor, and how training has helped build her business grow. 

Ethical practice, thriving communities, equal opportunity and the natural world are topics teeming with questions – and if you’ve got one for us, we’d love to hear from you. So, if there’s something you think we should discuss in a future episode, do get in touch with us. 

You’ll find us at debeersgroupcommunications@debeersgroup.com. 

If you’re enjoying the show, please share it with someone you think might enjoy it as well. Never miss another show by following us at Anchor or wherever you subscribe to your podcasts. 

Today, you’ll learn about:    

• Ditshego's business journey. 01:02
• How Ditshego’s business has grown. 03:01
• The benefits of training and ongoing support. 04:41
• Advice for budding entrepreneurs. 05:48

Transcript

Click here to access a full transcript of this minisode.

Episode Eight: A Water Wonderland

In this episode, we tell the story of our partnership with National Geographic – Okavango Eternal – which aims to tackle one of the biggest conservation challenges in Africa: preserving the source waters of the delta and the lives they support.

We speak to Otsile Mabeo, our Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Government Relations in Botswana, about how – through the partnership – we’re protecting, supporting and amplifying the remarkable story of a water wonderland: the Okavango Delta.

Ethical practice, thriving communities, equal opportunity and the natural world are topics teeming with questions – and if you’ve got one for us, we’d love to hear from you. So, if there’s something you think we should discuss in a future episode, do get in touch with us at debeersgroupcommunications@debeersgroup.com.

If you’re enjoying the show, please share it with someone you think might enjoy it as well. Never miss another show by following us at Anchor or wherever you subscribe to your podcasts.

Today, you’ll learn about:

• How the delta is under threat – and the challenges those in the region are facing. 01:40
• The shared ambitions that are fuelling our partnership with National Geographic. 04:45
• How the partnership is boosting the region’s economic prospects. 07:12
• The impact the partnership is having locally – and on neighbouring regions, too. 08:24
• How we’re amplifying the story of the delta and its people. 10:10
• What lies ahead. 11:38
• Discussing poling, the mokoro and National Geographic’s documentary ‘Nkashi: Race for the Okavango’. 13:50
• Recognising those crucial to the partnership’s success – and final thoughts. 16:37

Resources

Learn more about how we’re partnering for thriving communities through programmes such as Okavango Eternal; a combined effort with National Geographic to tackle one of the biggest conservation challenges in Africa.

Transcript

Click here to access a full transcript of this episode.

Episode Seven: Climate, Carbon Neutrality and Nature-Based Solutions

In this episode, we talk about climate, carbon neutrality and nature-based solutions – and how, through partnering with pioneering start-ups, we’re using plant power to combat climate change and boost ocean health.

We talk to Kirsten Hund, De Beers’ Head of Carbon Neutrality, to find out more about our own approach and how, along with carbon-sequestering leaders Kelp Blue, we’re making an even greater impact by capturing carbon off the coast of Namibia.

Ethical practice, thriving communities, equal opportunity and the natural world are topics teeming with questions – and if you’ve got one for us, we’d love to hear from you. So if there’s something you think we should discuss in a future episode, do get in touch with us.

You’ll find us at debeersgroupcommunications@debeersgroup.com or reach out on Twitter, @debeersgroup, using the hashtag #BuildingForever

If you’re enjoying the show, please share it with someone you think might enjoy it as well. Never miss another show by following us at  Anchor or wherever you subscribe to your podcasts.

Today, you’ll learn about:

· The concept of climate smart recovery – 01:25

· What we’re doing to reduce our emissions – 03:43

· How we can use nature-based solutions to remove carbon from the atmosphere – 06:33

· Kelp Blue Co-Founder Caroline Slootweg tells us about the pioneering start-up – 09:10

· How De Beers Group and Kelp Blue joined forces – 14:40

· How the partnership is making a greater impact by partnering for thriving communities – 18:55

Resources

Find out more about Kelp Blue’s purpose and vision

Explore De Beers’ Building Forever goals

Transcript

Click here to access a full transcript of this episode.