Almas Resources: Emerging Diamond Producer

How gems are mined from the bottom of the ocean

August 18, 2018

Today, six ships comb the Atlantic Ocean, where millions of years ago precious gemstones came to rest after being washed along the Orange River. The vessels are operated by Debmarine Namibia, a joint venture between the Namibian Government and De Beers.
Last year the marine diamond mining company produced 1.378 million carats of diamonds.
Debmarine Namibia vehicle has a 280-ton mechanical arm that moves in a horizontal arc, dredging material from just beneath the sea floor, at depths of around 121 meters.
Diamonds are then sifted from the dredged gravel in a treatment plant onboard the ship. The gravel is returned to the ocean and the gems are securely sealed in containers, loaded into steel briefcases, and flown by helicopter to shore. No human hands touch the diamonds during the entire production process at sea. Debmarine Namibia has a license to operate off the coast of Namibia until 2035 within a 3.7square km area. Otto Shikongo, CEO of Debmarine Namibia says that they only mine areas which are profitable. They have depleted only 2% of the license area.
Debmarine Namibia plans to construct a $142 million ship-cum-tanker, which it says will be the world’s largest custom-built diamond mining vessel, measuring 577 feet long. It is expected to start operating by 2021.
Source: CNN

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