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Namibia - in the search of diamonds - 1998

Namibia - in the search of diamonds - 1998

Jacek Pałkiewicz
2006-06-18 22:40:07

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vacuum cleaner. It is widely known that there are fabulous deposits of diamonds lying offshore, many of which are of even higher quality than the ones to be found beneath the earth's crust. CDM is conducting research into a machine able to "suck up" diamonds from the seabed to the deck of specially equipped ships.

Until quite recently the battery trick was employed. The hidden diamonds could pass through x-rays screening devices by virtue of the batteries'lead covering. The gems are also invisible if they are immersed in water or ice.
A gang of African workers was also discovered in hiding the gems in tins of sardines. This trick was so clever that they went undetected for years.
I asked Mrs Hogan for a racial breakdown of those caught attempting to steal gems. She looked at me with a distant air. "There are no blacks or whites her", she replied sternly, "just Namibians". It surprised me that she, who had lived in Rhodesia for some years, should not make such a distinction. But then I remembered that everything is now changing. Namibia obtained its independence on March 21st 1990, becoming the last colony in Africa to achieve independence.

Such changes oblige CDM to be very diplomatic in its policies. CDM pays more than 80 dollars each year to the government in exchange for its mining rights. But who knows how the situation may evolve in the future? Some of the company's directors are confident :"Namibia needs our money. Our taxes are the country's second largest score of income. Nationalization plans are not serious for the simple reason that De Beers is too powerful to allow the entrance into the world market of such a competitor. Besides, whites have all the technical know-how" he affirmed.
Personally speaking, I should not be so sure; Africa is charging so fast that I would make no rash predictions of this nature.

Usually, diamond deposits are found in diamantiferous seams of rock called kimberlite. ...

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My youngest son was born in Oranjemund in 1972. We left there in 1974 having enjoyed all the facilities there at the time. Many a time my son has expressed a wish to return to his birth place, out of interest,To see his roots. There certainly was a high divorce rate there at that time, but we found it a friendly place. We left our Bull Terrier dog with one of the security families, & often wondered about him. He was called 'Buzzy' & the children missed him loads. Unfortunately the ill health of my mother lead to our return to the uk.A good move...Maybe ....who knows, it was a lovely rugged country, with good education for the younger children, fantastic health provision, & great opportunities to enhance ones status, carreer wise. We never kept in touch with anyone there, but no doubt they have all moved on by now. With the security still so very tight, I dont suppose my son James will ever fulfill his wish. It would be nice though.If there is a possibility, & anyone could help, we can be contacted via 'gsmith404@btinternet.com' Very interesting article.

Pat Smith, 2007-03-28 23:39:34