Diamond Mining in Namibia
Namibia is one of the world’s leading producers of gem-quality diamonds, with production anchored by De Beers in partnership with the Government of the Republic of Namibia (GRN) through Namdeb Holdings. Namdeb Holdings is the primary licence holder for diamond mining in Namibia and is jointly owned by De Beers and the GRN on a 50:50 basis. Under this structure, Namdeb Diamond Corporation operates the country’s land-based diamond mines, while Debmarine Namibia is responsible for offshore diamond mining operations.
Namibia’s land-based diamond mining industry dates back more than a century, with some operations continuing production today from deposits first discovered in the early 1900s. Over time, the focus of the industry has shifted offshore, where a significantly larger and longer-life resource base exists. As a result, the majority of Namibia’s diamond production now comes from marine mining operations, positioning the country as a global leader in offshore diamond extraction.
Namibia’s diamond sector makes extensive use of the latest technological innovations, particularly in offshore mining, where advanced marine vessels, remote-operated systems, and precision seabed sampling technologies enable efficient and responsible extraction in challenging environments. These innovations support improved recovery rates, enhanced safety, and reduced environmental impact.
Downstream value addition remains a key pillar of Namibia’s diamond industry. Approximately 15–20 percent of diamond production is made available to local sight holders to support in-country cutting, polishing, and beneficiation. In addition, a further 15 percent of production is allocated to the Namib Desert Diamonds (Pty) Ltd. (NAMDIA) for independent marketing and trading. Local beneficiation is further supported by several local diamond cutting and polishing facilities, which contribute to skills development, employment creation, and increased value retention within Namibia’s diamond value chain.
