DTC

Diamonds from DTC come from mines and recovery areas in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa.

Learn more about each of the countries and the diamonds that come from them.

Protecting people and the planet

All diamonds from DTC are sourced in alignment with the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) Due Diligence Guidance. They are also fully compliant with the Kimberley Process (KP), which was established in 2003 to eradicate the trade in conflict diamonds and is supported by governments, diamond industry participants, customs authorities and civil society groups. All of the countries where diamonds from DTC are sourced – Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa – are participants in the KP, with the diamonds also undergoing additional independent verification.

Each diamond is recovered in a way that respects and protects people, the environment and the communities around where the diamonds are sourced.

Our focus is on having net positive environmental outcomes, so we strive to protect the environment by innovating continuously, and responding to environmental challenges and opportunities systematically. To achieve this, we work closely with stakeholders and partners.

DTC is a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity's 'Business and Biodiversity Pledge'; its the many environmental standards cover areas including energy and climate change, water, lifecycle planning and management, hazardous substances, waste and emissions and biodiversity. The working mines and key facilities are also independently certified to the ISO 14001 environmental management system standard.

The sourcing of diamonds from DTC is underpinned by both internal compliance programmes and external certification schemes and governance frameworks – providing reassurance on the journey that each diamond takes.

INTERNAL COMPLIANCE PROGRAMMES

Best Practice Principles

Best Practice Principles

All mines where diamonds from DTC originate comply with the rigorous standards of the Best Practice Principles (BPP) assurance programme, which covers business, human rights, social, environmental and mining risks. The BPP programme is based on the requirements of national law, and recognised, proven and established standards, such as the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and the International Finance Corporation’s Performance Standards. All operations must complete a self-assessment annually against the requirements and host regular audits by third-party verifiers.

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The Social Way 3.0

The Social Way 3.0

Diamonds from DTC have a role to play in helping to meet the needs of the societies from where the diamonds originate. The Social Way, a framework for social performance, governs this approach. The mines where the diamonds are sourced abide by the obligations of the Social Way, where its requirements ensure opportunities for development are maximised and potential negative social impacts are avoided or mitigated.

To keep pace with internal changes and international best practice and standards, The Social Way 3.0 was launched in January 2020, which marks a step change: it introduces the new integrated Social Way Management System, comprising a policy, toolkit and assurance framework, and helps to further the goal to embed social performance into core business processes.

EXTERNAL GOVERNANCE AND FRAMEWORKS

Alignment with OECD Due Diligence

The sourcing of diamonds from DTC is in full alignment with the requirements of the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Mineral Supply Chains.

This provides any customer purchasing a diamond from DTC, whether a trader, retailer or consumer, with the assurance that the diamonds have been responsibly sourced.

Through DTC.com, we hope to influence change for more in-depth due diligence and transparency across the supply chain. Our purpose is to provide midstream and downstream diamond industry participants, interested third parties and consumers with information on origin, practices, standards and performance of the operations that handle diamonds from DTC, from mining through to sale.

Responsible Jewellery Council

Responsible Jewellery Council

Each mine where diamonds from DTC originate abides by, and is audited against, a robust code of practices outlined by the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC). These practices address issues such as human rights, labour rights, environmental impact, mining operations and product disclosure.

RJC CODE OF PRACTICES DTC RJC Membership page

Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights

Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights

The mines where diamonds from DTC originate comply with the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, established by the US and UK governments, companies in the extractive and energy sectors and NGOs, which seek to ensure operational safety and security, and respect for human rights. The principles cover such areas as annual risk assessments, pre-employment screening, contract termination following disclosure of human rights abuses, annual training, and classroom sessions for security and community members.

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The aggregation model

The aggregation model

Diamonds from DTC originate from mines in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. Once they are recovered, they are sent to sorting centres in their respective countries, with the exception of Canada, from where diamonds are sent to Botswana.

After the initial sorting process, all diamonds not already at DTC in Gaborone are shipped there to be aggregated and precise allotments created for customers.

Aggregation is an important and value-adding part of the process as, in order to meet customers’ requirements, rough diamonds are combined into precise categories and assortments based on colours, sizes and shapes, and the proposed specification of the diamonds in their polished form.

Benefits of aggregation to stakeholders:

Mining communities and countries of mining origin
Aggregating helps buffer monthly variations in the mines' and recovery areas’ volume and quality, ensuring a smooth and consistent flow of diamonds into manufacturing.

The blending process enables DTC to market diamonds more effectively, targeting precision assortments at scale to export to customers.

Individual DTC mines can sell all their diamonds via DTC, reducing volatility for their employees, communities and suppliers.

Meeting customers' needs attracts capital, enabling DTC to offer more consistent quality revenue to partners.

Midstream diamond cutting, polishing and trading
Giving customers consistent, reliable and predictable assortments tailored to their needs secures their confidence, and helps them run efficient and successful businesses.

Retailers
Retailers benefit from lasting partnerships with our customers, as our customers can meet long-term product and timeframe commitments.

Consumers
Consumers can feel confident their diamonds are mined, recovered, cut, manufactured, polished and sold ethically. Each mine complies with strict business, ethical, social and environmental requirements, while those purchasing the rough diamonds are accountable to the same principles.