Diamond mining giant, Debswana Diamond Company has announced the appointment of Koolatotse Koolatotse to the position of Deputy Managing Director with effect from 14th November 2023.
Koolatotse’s career spans over 25 years in diamond and coal mining spent at Debswana, Lerala and Morupule Mines. A beneficiary of the Debswana Scholarship Programme, he has risen steadily through the ranks, commencing his career as Mining Learner Official in 1998 at Jwaneng Mine. He later ascended though the ranks holding significant portfolios within and outside Debswana, of note being Sectional Manager, Jwaneng Mine (2006-2008) and Mine Manager at DiamonEx Lerala Diamond Mine (2008-2009).
He went on to hold the positions of Operations Readiness Manager, Underground Manager and Production Manager at Morupule Coal Mine from 2009 to 2012 before returning to Debswana Jwaneng Mine in 2013 as Mining Manager. Koolatotse later proceeded through the ranks of Senior Mining Manager (2015), and Assistant General Manager (2017) before becoming General Manager of Jwaneng in 2019.
Over the years Koolatotse has demonstrated exceptional leadership in key areas such as safety, leadership development and technical expertise. He was instrumental in the delivery of Cut 8 Project which was delivered safely, on time and on budget. He is recognised as a champion for transformation, talent management, empowerment, and breakthrough results.
He is passionate about diversity and inclusion in the workplace. He has been instrumental in the employment of differently abled persons and the development of women in mining to give them opportunities for employment.
As General Manager of Jwaneng Mine, Koolatotse has demonstrated expertise in strategy formulation and execution, leading change, achieving breakthrough results, and embedding leadership principles such as extreme ownership and accountability. He has performed adeptly on various assignments and at various levels in the Anglo American/ DeBeers/Debswana Group. Koolatotse has competently led Jwaneng Mine during the global uncertainty periods of the last two recessions and the Covid-19 pandemic.
From a socio-economic development perspective, Koolatotse is keen on sport and community development as well as building good relations with local authorities.
Koolatotse holds a BSc Engineering (Mining Engineering) from Wits University – South Africa. He has undergone several leadership development programmes, including the Executing Strategy for Results programme from the London School of Business (LSB). He is also a member of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, as well as the Engineering Registration Board.
