Chamwe Kaira
De Beers’ Namibian operations recorded major milestones in 2024, including strong mining achievements and progress on a landmark renewable energy project, according to the company’s 2024 Sustainable Report.
Namdeb engineering manager, Pankratius Kondjamba, said renewable energy is becoming a driver of socio-economic growth in Namibia.
“Our efforts to build a wind farm to serve Namdeb’s land-based mining operation hold promise for Oranjemund and neighbouring communities as well as our carbon reduction journey,” he said.
Kondjamba added that the project would create opportunities for local businesses and promote skills development in the renewable energy sector.
Namibia has been central to De Beers’ global diamond operations since 1908 and is now one of the world’s top 10 producers of gem-quality stones.
Through Namdeb Holdings, its 50:50 joint venture with the Namibian government, the company is the country’s largest taxpayer and marked its 30th anniversary in 2024.
Namdeb’s land-based mines in Oranjemund and along the Orange River achieved record output, including 1.4 million square meters of bedrock cleaning at Southern Coastal Mines and record ore processing at Sendelingsdrift. Offshore, Debmarine Namibia expanded marine diamond recovery, operating seven recovery vessels and commissioning a new crew change facility at Oranjemund Airport to improve safety and community access.
In the downstream sector, the Namibia Diamond Trading Company, another 50:50 partnership with the government, strengthened transparency by scanning and recording Namibian diamonds on Tracr, De Beers’ blockchain-based provenance platform.
NDTC reported US$191 million in rough diamond sales to 13 local Sightholders during the year.
Overall, De Beers Namibia contributed US$545 million in taxes and economic benefits in 2024, employed 3 624 people, and sourced nearly half of its goods and services locally.
Caption
Namdeb CEO Riaan Burger (left) and NamPower MD Simson Haulofu participated in a signing ceremony in May, during which they signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on renewable electricity projects for Namdeb’s mining operations and the national grid.
- Photo: Namdeb
