The largest diamond cutting and polishing factory in Africa, owned by Russian-Israeli tycoon Lev Leviev, opened in Windhoek on Monday, officials said.
”For more than a century, our diamonds were mined and exported in raw form to other countries without adding any value. Lev Leviev Diamonds Namibia is the first company that will cut and polish diamonds here at home before they are exported,” Namibian President Sam Nujoma said at the opening.
”I was informed that the factory is the largest on the African continent. This will… create employment, skills transfer and [bring] appropriate technology to our country,” Nujoma said.
The Leviev group, one of the world’s largest cutters and polishers of the precious gems, took over offshore diamond mining concessions from the liquidated Namibian minerals corporation, which collapsed in 2001.
Leviev launched the Sakawe mining corporation to take over offshore mining in Namibian waters and will now supply diamonds to the $3-million (2,6-million euro) factory which will have an output of 25 000 carats of cut and polished diamonds per month. – Sapa-AFP