The mv SS Nujoma, dubbed by De Beers as “the world’s largest and most advanced diamond exploration and sampling vessel”, has started to explore for diamond deposits in Namibian waters.
The vessel, which according to De Beers costs $157 million, “will enable Debmarine Namibia, a 50/50 joint venture between the Government of the Republic of Namibia and De Beers Group, to explore diamond deposits and secure diamond supply in the country well into the future”. According to De Beers, mining for Namibia’s diamonds occurs at around 120 to 140 metres below sea level. Debmarine Namibia produced around 1.2 million carats in 2016.
Bruce Cleaver, CEO, De Beers Group, said: “Offshore diamond mining is becoming increasingly important in meeting global demand for diamonds as many of the major onshore deposits have now been discovered. The mv SS Nujoma will allow even more of Namibia’s high quality offshore diamonds to be discovered and mined, ensuring a strong future for Namibia’s diamond industry, as well as the global diamond market”.
