How did the opening of the Orapa diamond mine affect the Kalahari region?

The opening of the Orapa diamond mine in 1971 served as a catalyst for the development of mining activities across various locations in the Kalahari region.3

To support the operation of the mine, which is situated on the eastern edge of the desert, the town of Orapa was specifically constructed to accommodate the workforce. The mine's infrastructure also necessitated the development of water resources, such as the Mopipi dam, which was built to serve the facility.12

While mining has become a significant economic driver in the region, it has created a distinction between areas integrated into the industrial economy and more remote parts of the Kalahari. In these remote areas, traditional lifestyles—centered on cattle pastoralism and subsistence farming—remain largely unaffected by industrial activities.3