Semi-Precious Stones and Gemstone Mining in Namibia
Namibia hosts a rich variety of semi-precious stones, including tourmaline, quartz, garnet, topaz, amethyst, fluorite, and aquamarine, with notable deposits in the Erongo, Brandberg, Spitzkoppe, and Uis regions. Mining of these gemstones is largely carried out by small-scale and artisanal miners, providing an important source of income that supports rural livelihoods.
Much of the gemstone production is sold directly to tourists, local jewellery workshops, and international buyers, helping to link rural miners with broader markets. A prominent venue for trade is the Ûiba-Ôas Crystal Market near Spitzkoppe, where miners bring gemstones for sale, connecting them to national and international customers.
The Namibian government, along with support from the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the Small-Scale Miners Association, Chamber members, and international development organisations such as the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), is actively helping miners with claim registration, cooperative formation, land access, and sector formalisation.
Small-scale gemstone mining also contributes to national revenue through royalties (2% on semi-precious stones and 10% on precious stones (rubies, sapphires and emeralds) and is considered a significant driver of rural economic empowerment.
