Namdeb closure to hit country hard

(neweralive.na) - Namdeb’s mooted closure by 2022 would leave Namibia poorer by billions, and efforts are being made to explore extending the flagship company’s lifespan. The onshore diamond mining company – owned 50/50 by the Namibian government and De Beers Group – is hanging onto its own existence by fingernails as on-land diamond reserves wear thinner. Original operations started in 1908 and, while diamonds themselves are said to be ‘forever’, mining them is finite. The company, in fact, had its eulogy already written in preparation of its pre-empted closure in 2012, but work by its engineers breathed life into its lungs so it may hang onto dear life for 10 more years.