Oppenheimer Takes Over as Debswana Chairman

De Beers Group Chairperson Nicky Oppenheimer has been appointed chairman of Debswana, the 50/50 diamond mining joint venture with Botswana. Oppenheimer is succeeding De Beers' CEO Gareth Penny who recently resigned.

Oppenheimer held the position from January 1998 to March 2007. The role of Debswana Chair is alternately held by De Beers and Botswana. Penny served as Debswana's chairman since January 2009.

Oppenheimer will hold the Debswana chairmanship until the end of 2011.