The Orange River mining area stretches from the Orange River mouth in the west coast of Namibia eastward to Sendelingsdrif.
Opening of the Daberas mine
Diamonds were first discovered on the south bank of the lower Orange River by Dr Ernst Reuning in 1957.
Prospecting on the northern bank started in 1968.
The Orange River mines contribute 15% to Namdeb’s total revenue and 7.3% of carats produced. They are renowned for the quality and size of stones that they produce.
Current operations focus on the mining of ancient gravel terraces at Daberas.
As only Auchas and Daberas have been partially mined to date, the Orange River mining area is still resource-rich.
Significant resources remain at Arisdrift, Auchas Lower, Auchas (remnant mining), Obib and Sendelingsdrif.
A pre-feasibility study has been completed on the Sendelingsdrif deposit so that mining may start there once Daberas is depleted.
Daberas mine is 65km north-east of Oranjemund on the north bank of the Orange River. Mining started in October 1999 and the mine is expected to close in 2010. Daberas produces approximately 110,000 carats a year.
The Orange River operation’s environmental management programme is ISO14001 certified and its safety record has earned it Noscar status.
Rehabilitating the old, worked out mining areas and managing the environmental impact on new areas continue to be a priority.
Find out more about Namdeb and its other operations >