(IDEX Online) - Debswana, the joint venture between De Beers and the Botswana government, has started using solar power at its diamond mines as part of a pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.President Mokgweetsi Masisi said solar energy and biodiesel were now being used at the Jwaneng, Orapa, Letlhakane and Damtshaa mines.A grid-tied solar photovoltaic (PV) plant has already been providing power at the company's HQ, the Debswana Corporate Centre (DCC) in Gaborone.Project engineer for the plant, Karabo Mmokwa, said: "It is the first of its kind and magnitude in the mining sector in Botswana. We aim to improve the DCC's energy mix, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce grid consumption."Masisi, speaking at the 2023 Natural Diamond Summit, said Debswana would scale up the use of solar energy in its mining operations next year as the country moved towards clean energy.