Money | diamond De Beers to Halt Work at Diamond Mines Firm last suspended production during the Great Depression By Nick McMaster Posted Feb 24, 2009 2:19 PM CST Copied An open pit is seen at a Debswana mine, a joint venture between De Beers and Botswana's government, in Jwaneng, Botswana, Monday March 17, 2008. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) De Beers has temporarily shut down its diamond mines in Botswana due to low demand for the precious stones, the Telegraph reports. The firm’s Botswana mines account for half of De Beers’ output, and about a fifth of diamond production worldwide. De Beers was not able to sell a single diamond from Botswana in November and sold only very few in the two months after. Of the four mines operated by Debswana, a joint venture between De Beers and the Botswana government, two will suspend work through the year. Two others, including Jwaneng, the world’s most-valuable diamond mine, could continue production in mid-April. De Beers noted that the last time it had suspended operations completely at any mine was during the Great Depression. Read These Next Man murdered in Mississippi is a US-touring comedian. Trump is calling out the 'arm of the Democratic party.' If you're easily freaked out, do not read this screwworm story. You know you're good when you get a high-five from your heckler. Report an error