Fast becoming a Namibian icon, De Beers Marine Namibia has been able to grow its production output by more than 60 per cent from 2001 to 2007.
De Beers Marine Namibia also continues to excel in all aspects of its operation, notably in the areas of sustainable development, safety, health and environment.
During 2007, De Beers Marine Namibia produced 1 048 million carats. This achievement demonstrates the excellence that is a core value of this young and dynamic Namibian Company. All indications are that 2008 will see a repeat of this great performance.
In addition to its production achievements, De Beers Marine Namibia has maintained its NOSA 5 star accreditation, OHSAS 18001 certification, Document of Compliance certification and Safety Management certification in terms of the International Safety Management code and ISPS certification in terms of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code.
De Beers Marine Namibia is owned by De Beers (70%) and Namdeb (30%). The Company mines off the south west coast of Namibia in the Atlantic 1 licence area of Namdeb, as the exclusive contractor.
De Beers Marine Namibia operates a fleet of five mining vessels, of which it owns four and time charters one. The vessels are mv Debmar Atlantic, mv Debmar Pacific, mv !Gariep, mv Grand Banks and mv Ya Toivo.
Mining takes place on the ocean floor at water depths ranging from 90 to 140 meters.
The Company employs 622 people, of which about 100 are based at its head office in Windhoek, and the rest are sea-going employees. The vessels operate on a twenty-eight days on, twenty-eight days off shift system.
The rehabilitation of marine mining environments occur naturally, once the mining has been completed in a particular area. De Beers Marine Namibia's environmental research focuses on greater knowledge of the natural variability of the environment, understanding the consequences of marine mining, and monitoring changes over time.
All aspects of operations are carefully considered and managed through the implementation of an Environmental Management System certified to the international standard ISO14001, in pursuance of the highest levels of environmental management.
The Company’s Social Responsibility Committee makes donations to worthy causes in all the regions of Namibia, with an annual value of over N$300 000. In addition, the company offers a bursary scheme awarding bursaries on an annual basis, and has recently launched the Diamond Award for Science, a full scholarship that covers the study of a deserving Namibian student in any Science field.
The threat of HIV/Aids is being addressed at a strategic level within De Beers Marine Namibia. Employees and their life partners have access to free anti-retroviral therapy (ART). This is supported by an active voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) campaign, coupled with education and awareness campaigns driven by peer educators active throughout the organisation.
De Beers Marine Namibia is set to remain the leading marine diamond mining company. Through a commitment to ensuring long-term sustainability, strategic partnerships and active stakeholder engagement, as well as clear focus on its medium and long-term goals, the Company will continue to live up to its mission of delivering value to its shareholders and stakeholders.