British Steel will supply 768 tons of top hat shaft guides to a diamond mine in Botswana from its Special Profiles plant in Skinningrove.
The Karowe mine, owned by Canada’s Lucara Diamond Corp., is among the leading producers of large, high-quality diamonds. Currently operating as an open-pit mine, it will transition to underground mining in 2028, extending its lifespan until at least 2046.
The production shaft for underground operations will be fitted with British Steel’s top hat shaft guides, with deliveries scheduled in four shipments through the summer of 2025. Top hat shaft guides, exclusively supplied by British Steel, offer advantages over square hollow sections (SHS), including improved straightness, longer service life in corrosive environments, and easier inspection. They also enhance hoisting capacity, enabling higher payloads and winding speeds.
