Namibian President Praises New Leviev Diamond Plant

Namibian President Sam Nujoma has paid tribute to Israeli diamond magnate Lev Leviev who has opened a diamond cutting and polishing plant in Windhoek.

Nujoma was on hand to open the plant, described by Leviev as the "biggest and most advanced" in Africa.

The factory will cut and polish local mined diamonds produced by a Sakawe Mining Corporation (Samicor) and other producers. It is the first company to mine and process Namibian gems locally.

“For more than a century our diamonds were mined and exported in raw form to other countries without adding value to them,” Nujoma said.

“This will not only enhance our national efforts to promote value addition to our natural resources, but will also create employment opportunities and enhance the transfer of skills and appropriate technology to our economy.”

The $6.5 million factory is able to process 25,000 to 30,000 carats of diamonds a month and will employ more than 500 people once in full operation.