In the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, which was established in 1961 as a habitat for the indigenous Bushmen and native animals, there is now the start of the Gope diamond mine.

The Gope Exploration Company will put up a special seed fund for the villages which are affected by the Gope diamond mine. They will do this “hand-in-hand” with the inhabitants. The fund is established to support the villages with sustainable projects.

On March 12, 2011, the Botswanan Sunday Standard reported that a start will be made with a diamond mine near Gope village in the south east of the CKGR by Gope Exploration Company. In the company's annual report for 2010 it is stated that the organization of the camp accommodation for the camp employees is scheduled for the second quarter of 2011 and an access to the diamonds in the ground will be made. Construction of the first phase of this exciting project will begin in 2011 and in 2013 the mine will be productive.