DIAMOND PAGE — Namibian Minerals adds to diamond output

Namibian Minerals (NMR-T) is expanding alluvial diamond production at its Luderitz Bay concession off the coast of Namibia.

Production capacity in the NamSSol II marine mining system will be increased 25%, to 185,000 carats per year. The decision follows eight months of successful operations in which 100,000 carats were recovered, well in keeping with the company’s fiscal year-end target of 150,000 carats.

Namibian Minerals produced 30,300 carats in the second quarter ended Aug. 31, up from the 25,900 carats produced in the previous quarter.

The average stone size was slightly higher, at 0.39 carat, though sales between the periods dropped to US$164 from $179 per carat, partly as a result of a weaker diamond market.