A Benefit Cocktail Party & Auction

Join Diamond Empowerment Fund Advisory Board Chairman Russell Simmons along with the Event Chairs Justin Etzin, Anna Martin, and Varda Shine for a special evening in support of empowerment through education for African youth.

Honouring:
NICKY OPPENHEIMER CHAIRMAN, DE BEERS GROUP
PETER SANDS GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE, STANDARD CHARTERED BANK

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2010

COCKTAILS & HORS D’OEUVRES
BEGINNING AT 7 PM

PROGRAMME & AUCTION AT 8:30 PM

Altitude 360
29TH FLOOR, MILLBANK TOWER
SW1P 4QP, LONDON
altitudelondon.com

INDIVIDUAL TICKETS FROM £200

ATTIRE: DIAMOND CHIC

To reserve a patron package or tickets, please contact: diamonds@quintessentiallyevents.com +44 845 4758 421

Or click here to download the Advance Reservation Reply Form.

Contact for press enquiries: gabby.wickham@quintessentially.com +44 207 758 3369

Founded in 2007 and based in New York, the non-profit Diamond Empowerment Fund’s mission is to support education initiatives that develop and empower economically disadvantaged people in African nations where diamonds are a natural resource. D.E.F. has two beneficiaries: CIDA City Campus and African Leadership Academy, both based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Summary

• Owner of Calhoun Jewelers – retail jewelry store
• Owner of Avanti Development LLC – commercial land development company
• Owner of Cafe on Main – restaurant
• Owner of Spring City Elderly Housing – 138 units for low income seniors

Education

• Graduate Gemologist, Gemological Institute of America
• Certified Gemologist Appraiser, American Gem Society
• Temple University

Affiliations

• President of American Gem Society – 2010
• Pennsylvania Jeweler of the Year 2009
• Past President of GIA Alumni Association Delaware Valley Guild
• Past President of AGS Alumni Association Keystone Guild
• Executive Board Director of the American Gem Society
• Board Director of Women’s Jewelry Association
• President of Women in Construction
• Boast Director of Jewelers for Children
• President Spring City Revitalization
• President Royersford Business Association
• Board Director of Phoenixville Homes
• Board Director for Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company
• Board Director for Diamond Empowerment Fund

Hobbies

• 1st Degree Black Belt Karate
• Private Pilot
• Scuba Diver
• Gem Hunter
• Road Rally Driver

Statistics and facts:

• Capital City = Luanda
• Population = 18, 498,00
• Official and recognized Languages  = Portuguese, Kongo, Chokwe, Mbundu
• Independence = Novenber 11, 1975
• GDP = $106.410 BILLION (2008 estimate) / Per capita = $6,331
• Currency = Kwanza
• Religion = Christianity 53%, Indigenous 47%.

(wikipedia.org)

Angola and Diamonds:

Diamonds were first discovered in Angola in 1912. For the next 40 years, the industry was exclusively based on alluvial diamond mining (mining that extracts diamonds from deposits of sand, gravel and clay, which have been naturally transported by water erosion and deposited along either the banks of a river, the shoreline or on the bed of the ocean) and was operated as a monopoly by the Diamontes de Angola, Diamang, a joint Portuguese – Belgian producer. Other companies operating in Angola include Catoca, De Beers and Luo.

(diamondfacts.org)

Education in Angola:

Although by law, education in Angola is compulsory and free for 8 years, the government reports that a certain percentage of students are not attending school due to a lack of school buildings and teachers. In 1999, the gross primary enrollment rate was 74 percent and in 1998, the most recent year for which data are available, the net primary enrollment rate was 61 percent. In 1995, 71.2 percent of children ages 7 to 14 years were attending school. It is reported that higher percentages of boys attend school than girls. During the Angolan Civil War (1975-2002), nearly half of all schools were reportedly looted and destroyed, leading to current problems with overcrowding. The Ministry of Education hired 20,000 new teachers in 2005, and continued to implement teacher trainings. Teachers tend to be underpaid, inadequately trained, and overworked (sometimes teaching two or three shifts a day).Teachers also reportedly demand payment or bribes directly from their students. Other factors, such as the presence of landmines, lack of resources and identity papers, and poor health also prevent children from regularly attending school. 82.9% of males and 54.2% of women are literate as of 2001. Since independence from Portugal in 1975, a number of Angolan students continued to be admitted every year at Portuguese high schools, polytechnical institutes, and universities, through bilateral agreements between the Portuguese Government and the Angolan Government; in general these students belong to the Angolan elites. Although budgetary allocations for education were increased in 2004, the education system in Angola continues to be extremely under-funded.

(wikipedia.org)

Statistics & Facts:

• Capital City = Gaborone
• Population = 2,029,307
• Official and Recognized Languages  = English (official), Setswana, Kalanga, Sekgalagadi,
• Independence = September 30, 1966
• GDP = $26 BILLION (USD 2009 estimate) / Per capita = $13,100
• Currency = Pulas
• Religion = Christianity 71.6%, Badimo 6%

Statistcs from CIA – World Factbook

Botswana and Diamonds:

Botswana is the world’s leading producer of gem quality diamonds in the world, producing some 30.4 Mct in 2003 compared to 28.4 Mct in 2002. The diamond industry accounts for 70% of export earnings within the country and 30% of Botswana’s GDP.

Diamond production in Botswana is dominated by Debswana, a joint venture company owned by De Beers Investments (50%) and the Government of Botswana (50%). Debswana has 3 operational mines, Lethlhakane, Orapa and Jwaneng. The Letlhakane mine near Orapa was founded in 1973, as was the much larger Jwaneng mine in the south of the country but, while Letlhakane came into production by 1977, Jwaneng did not start mining operations until 1982. Jwaneng is by far the richest and the largest of the three mines and one of the largest diamond mines in the world. Jwaneng has been earmarked for the installation of the new “aquarius” technology – a new method of sorting rough diamonds without any human intervention.

Smaller mining operations exist near Martins Drift, close to the border with South Africa. Tswapong Mining Company, a joint venture between De Beers Prospecting Services (85%) and the Government of Botswana (15%) operate Martin’s Drift. The operation has a limited life around four years – with production coming from five smaller pipes. All diamonds are sorted and valued by Botswana Diamond Valuing Company, which is a subsidiary of the Debswana Diamond Company.

Botswana is a participant in the Kimberley Process, the association of governments of diamond-producing and importing countries, commercial diamond firms and pan-industry associations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), which has implemented a certification system for the international trade in rough diamonds, designed to prevent so-called “blood” or “conflict” diamonds from being shipped through legitimate trading channels.

(MBendi.com)

Education in Botswana:

Botswana has made great strides in educational development since independence in 1966. At that time there were very few graduates in the country and only a very small percentage of the population attended secondary school.

With the discovery of diamonds and the increase in government revenue that this brought, there was a huge increase in educational provision in the country. All students were guaranteed ten years of basic education, leading to a Junior Certificate qualification. Approximately half of the school population attends a further two years of secondary schooling leading to the award of the Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE). Secondary education in Botswana is neither free nor compulsory.

After leaving school, students can attend one of the six technical colleges in the country, or take vocational training courses in teaching or nursing. The best students enter the University of Botswana, Botswana College of Agriculture, and The Botswana Accountancy college in Gaborone. Many other students end up in the numerous private tertiary education colleges around the country. A high majority of these students are government sponsored. The quantitative gains have not always been matched by qualitative ones. Primary schools in particular still lack resources, and the teachers are less well paid than their secondary school colleagues. The Government of Botswana hopes that by investing a large part of national income in education, the country will become less dependent on diamonds for its economic survival, and less dependent on expatriates for its skilled workers.

In January 2006, Botswana announced the reintroduction of school fees after two decades of free state education though the government still provides full scholarships with living expenses to any Botswana citizen in university, either at the University of Botswana or if the student wishes to pursue an education in any field not offered locally, such as medicine, they are provided with a full scholarship to study abroad.

(Wikipedia.org)

Statistics & Facts:

• Capital City = Bangui
• Population = 4,844,927
• Official and Recognized Languages = French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), tribal languages
• Independence = August 13, 1960
• GDP = $3.327 BILLION (USD 2009 estimate) / Per capita = $700
• Currency = Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs
• Religion = Indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15%

(Statistics from CIA – World Factbook)

Central African Republic and Diamonds:

Officially, diamonds have contributed 60% to the nations export earnings. The CAR is one of Africa’s major diamond producers, although production is almost entirely produced by artisinal methods. The CAR is well known for its good quality diamonds, ranked 5th in the world in terms of quality.

Diamonds were discovered in the early 1900′s and production did increase to a maximum total of about 600 000ct per year. It has subsequently dropped due to lack of control of the diamond industry. The CAR produces an estimated 620 000 ct each year. Some commercial mining and exploration of alluvial deposits has begun, albeit with difficulties. No primary sources for the diamonds have been located, suggesting that there is either great potential for kimberlite discovery, or that the diamonds have been introduced from diamond rich DRC to the south. Most alluvial diamond deposits are situated along north flowing drainage’s, sourced from the DRC to the south. However, this does not decrease the possibility of kimberlite discovery proximal to these drainages.

The Boungou River is the largest tributary of the Kotto River, which is the eastern CAR’s largest river. The Boungou River and its tributaries account for some 25% of the CAR’s total production, with most production being sourced from three main alluvial prospects: The Djourou, Aigbando and Trouapou-Boungou prospects that are currently being exploited by artisanal miners. Canadian junior Vaaldiam Resources has begun evaluating this region, located approxiamtely 80km northwest of the town of Bria. United Reef has two exploration permits for diamonds. The permits include two alluvial deposits. Howe Centrafique has several alluvial projects in the Central African Republic, including the Mabala mine, which has reported declining grades.

DiamondWorks’s Central African Mining SARL (CAMCO) claims to have the country’s largest ground holding with 6 licenses in the northeast that total 11 600 km21. Camco intends focusing on the Ouandjia and Nzako permits in the second half of 2001. Similarly, its diamond buying subsidiary CADCO (Central African Diamond Company) will resume operations in the CAR.

(MBendi.com)

Education in Central African Republic:

Public education in the Central African Republic is free, and education is compulsory from ages 6 to 14. About half the adult population of the country is illiterate. The University of Bangui, a public university located in Bangui, is the only institution of higher education in the Central African Republic.

(Wikipedia.org)

Statistics & Facts:

• Capital City = Kinshasa
• Population = 70,916,439
• Official and Recognized Languages = French (official), Lingala (a lingua franca trade language), Kingwana (a dialect of Kiswahili or Swahili), Kikongo, Tshiluba
• Independence = June 30, 1960
• GDP = $21.33 BILLION (USD 2009 estimate) / Per capita = $300
• Currency = Congolese francs
• Religion – Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 20%, Kimbanguist 10%, Muslim 10%, other (includes syncretic sects and indigenous beliefs) 10%

(Statistics from CIA – World Factbook)

Democratic Republic of Congo and Diamonds:

Although the DRC is Africa’s largest diamond producer, production details remain sketchy. Most of the DRC’s production is produced by the informal sector. Similar to Angola, rebel forces now hold traditional diamond production areas, primarily in the Eastern Kasai province. In mid-2004 the Kimberley Process struck the country off its list of certifiable diamond producers accusing it of dealing in blood diamonds thus resulting in the DRC ceasing exports of diamonds.

In August 2004 the the body in charge of certifying minerals for export from the Democratic Republic of Congo announced that it was setting up three branches in formerly rebel-held areas to combat the trade in so-called blood diamonds. The Centre for Evaluation, Expert Analysis and Certification of Precious Minerals (CEEC) plans to establish offices in Goma, Bukavu and Kisangani in the eastern part of the country. The minister for mines, Eugene Diomi Ndongala estimated that the Congolese treasury loses around $450 million a year because of diamond smuggling.

The only commercial diamond producer in DRC is Miniere de Bakwange (MIBA), which is a joint venture between Belgian company Sibeka and the DRC government, which owns 80%. De Beers holds a 20% stake in Sibeka (Belgian Umicore the remaining 80%), and markets about one third of the country’s diamonds. The company owns the only functioning mine in the country. MIBA has struggled to keep production levels constant due to problems in locating suitable buyers and markets. Apart from that, the company is also facing depleted alluvial reserves, coupled with the fact that there is limited funding to evaluate and exploit existing kimberlite resources. MIBA produced approximately 9 Mct in 2000, although these figures are expected to fluctuate due political tension in the Kasai region.

As it stands, diamond mining in the country has taken place on a small scale and a considerably small area has been explored using modern technology. There has been renewed interest by the international mining industry in the DRC as a result of the 2003 implementation of the new DRC Mining Code, which was drafted in conjunction with the World Bank. The Mining Code provides the PR holder with broad access to explore its properties under a transparent and efficient permitting process. In the case of diamond exploration, the Mining Code gives the PR holder exclusive rights for a period of four years, renewable for two additional two-year periods. On discovery of an economically viable deposit, the holder can apply for a Permit of Exploitation.

During September 2004 De Beers signed a confedentiality report with Oryx Natural Resources as part of a due diligence exercise for the possible development of Sengamines diamond concession in the Democratic Republic of Congo. De Beers has started surveying the area which is expected to have significant potential and requires an estimated US$200 million to be brought into production.

In September 2004 BRC Diamond Corporation received confirmation of title for 13 Prospecting Research Permits (“PRs”) for diamonds in the Lubao district of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The properties, which represent a surface area of approximately 4,900 km2, are located in Kasai-Oriental, historically the largest diamond producing region of the DRC. Some of these areas are highly prospective diamond opportunities, which have never been systematically explored.

Since 2003, SouthernEra has secured an excellent portfolio of exclusive diamond exploration permits covering 13,614 square kilometers located within the diamond-rich Kasai Province of the DRC. The majority of permits lie within a ‘kimberlite emplacement corridor’, underlain by Archean basement granite-gneiss of the Congo Craton, which extends from the DRC southwest into the renowned diamond producing Lunda Norte Province in neighboring Angola. This kimberlite emplacement corridor is considered the world’s most prospective and largest new exploration opportunity.

It is estimated that roughly a third of the DRC’s production is smuggled out of the country every year. Canadian Wye Resources have some alluvial diamond concessions in the Kasai Occidental Province. The country currently has 700 000 artisanal diamond miners.

(MBendi.com)

Education in Democratic Republic of Congo:

The education system in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is governed by three government ministries: the Ministère de l’Enseignement Primaire, Secondaire et Professionnel (MEPSP), the Ministère de l’Enseignement Supérieur et Universitaire (MESU) and the Ministère des Affaires Sociales (MAS). The educational system in the DRC is similar to that of Belgium. In 2002, there were over 19,000 primary schools serving 160,000 students; and 8,000 secondary schools serving 110,000 students.

However, primary school education in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is neither compulsory, free nor universal, and many children are not able to go to school because parents were unable to pay the enrollment fees. Parents are customarily expected to pay teachers’ salaries. In 1998, the most recent year for which data are available, the gross primary enrollment rate was 50 percent.

Gross enrollment ratios are based on the number of students formally registered in primary school and therefore do not necessarily reflect actual school attendance. In 2000, 65 percent of children ages 10 to 14 years were attending school. As a result of the 6-year civil war, over 5.2 million children in the country receive no education.

(Wikipedia.org)

Statistics & Facts:

• Capital City = Yamoussoukro
• Population = 21,058,798
• Official and Recognized Languages  = French (official), 60 native dialects with Dioula the most widely spoken
• Independence = August 7, 1960
• GDP = $35.82 BILLION (USD 2009 estimate) / Per capita = $1,700
• Currency = Communaute Financiere Africaine francs
• Religion = Muslim 38.6%, Christian 32.8%, Indigenous beliefs 11.9%

(Statistics from CIA – World Factbook)

Ivory Coast and Diamonds:

There is currently a small scale conflict tacking place in the informal diamond digging areas in the north east of the Ivory Coast. There is no official/formal diamond exploration or mining being carried out in Ivory Coast.

Ivory Coast remains under a UN Security Council Resolution (renewed on October 31, 2007) prohibiting the import and export of diamonds. The country is a member of the Kimberley Process but the Government, in alignment with the UNSC Resolution, has itself suspended all official exports of rough diamonds to help support its efforts to restore social stability and ensure systems are in place to met the KP requirements. The Kimberley Process is the process developed to prevent conflict diamonds from entering the legitimate diamond supply chain and provides an assurance that diamonds are from conflict free sources. The Government of Ivory Coast is working closely with the Kimberley Process Secretariat and the UN to successfully overcome various challenges and establish a positive solution.

(Diamondfacts.org)

Education in Ivory Coast

Large parts of the adult population, in particular women, are illiterate. Many children between 6 and 10 years are not enrolled in school. The majority of students in secondary education are male. At the end of secondary education, students can sit the Baccalauréat examination. The country has universities, including the University of Côte d’Ivoire.

(Wikipedia.org)

Statistics & Facts:

• Capital City = Monrovia
• Population = 3,685,076
• Official and Recognized Languages = English 20% (official), some 20 ethnic group languages few of which can be written or used in correspondence
• Independence = July 26, 1847
• GDP = $1.627 BILLION (USD 2009 estimate) / Per capita = $500
• Currency = Liberian dollars
• Religion = Christian 40%, Muslim 20%, Indigenous beliefs 40%

(Statistics from CIA – World Factbook)

Liberia and Diamonds:

The western part of Liberia is underlain by an Archaean age craton that is also present in neighbouring Sierra Leone and Guinea, making it highly prospective for hosting diamondiferous kimberlites. The areas along and between the Lofa river and the border with Sierra Leone have been mined by artisinals for several years, including during periods of civil unrest. Areas around Gbapa and Takpormah have been known as Liberia’s principal alluvial mining centers during the 1980′s. Diamond production estimates are extremely difficult, since traditionally much of the Liberian production results from smuggled stones originating from neighbouring Sierra Leone, Cote d’Ivoire and Guinea. Production in 2001 was estimated at 155 000 ct. On average, 25% of Liberia’s diamonds are of gem quality, 40% of near gem and 35% of industrial quality.

In June 2004 the UN Security Council ruled that peace in Liberia is still too fragile for sanctions on diamond and timber exports to be lifted. Liberia was also been suspended by the Kimberley Process because it would not allow monitoring of its diamond trade. The country has been a major outlet for conflict diamonds mined in Sierra Leone, which claims it has stamped out the conflict diamond trade.

The only really active foreign company in Liberia, Mano River Resources has to date located a total of six kimberlites on their Kpo Range diamond prospect. The kimberlites could be a possible source to the numerous alluvial showings in the area. Mano River have also reported the recovery of several kimberlitic indicator minerals on their Bea Mountain permit. South Africa’s Trans Hex Group has entered into an agreement with Mano River over the evaluation of the Kpo kimberlite cluster.

During 2004 Diamond Fields International Ltd. entered into an option agreement with the Liberian-based Ducor Minerals Inc., under which it may earn an interest in Ducor’s rights under two Mineral Exploration Agreements between Ducor and the Republic of Liberia. The Gbapolu and Grand Gedeh Properties cover a total area of 1813.72 km(2) and are prospective for both diamonds and gold.

(MBendi.com)

Education in Liberia:

The University of Liberia is the country’s largest college and is located in Monrovia. Opened in 1862, it is one of Africa’s oldest institutes of higher learning organized based upon the western model. Civil war severely damaged the university in the 1990s, but the university has begun to rebuild following the restoration of peace. The school includes six colleges, including a medical school and the nation’s only law school, Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law.

Cuttington University was established by the Episcopal Church of the USA (ECUSA) in 1889; its campus is currently located in Suakoko, Bong County, 120 miles (190 km) north of Monrovia). The private school, the oldest private college in Liberia, also holds graduate courses in Monrovia.

According to statistics published by UNESCO for 2004 65% of primary-school age and 24% of secondary-school age children were enrolled in school. This is a significant increase on previous years; the statistics also show substantial numbers of older children going back to earlier school years. On average, children attain 10 years of education, 11 for boys and 8 for girls.[28] Children ages five to eleven are required by law to attend school, though enforcement is lax. A 1912 law required children ages 6 to 16 to attend school. The African Methodist Episcopal University is another fast growing university in the capital.

(Wikipedia.org)

Statistics & Facts:

• Capital City = Windhoek
• Population = 2,128,471
• Official and Recognized Languages = English 7% (official), Afrikaans common language of most of the population and about 60% of the white population, German 32%, indigenous languages 1% (includes Oshivambo, Herero, Nama)
• Independence = March 21, 1990
• GDP = $13.58 BILLION (USD 2009 estimate) / Per capita = $6400
• Currency = Namibian dollars
• Religion = Christian 80% to 90% (Lutheran 50% at least), indigenous beliefs 10% to 20%

(Statistics from CIA – World Factbook)

Namibia and Diamonds:

Namibia is one of the world’s largest producers of gem quality diamonds, with about 98% of diamonds produced being gem quality. Namibia produced a total of 1.4 Mct in 2003. In 2003 it was estimated that onshore operations account for about 55% of production and offshore operations for 45% operations.

It is estimated that over 100 Mct have been produced since mining began in 1908. Diamonds are mined along ancient river terraces along the banks of the Orange River, palaeo beach deposits along the south western and western coast of Namibia, as well as from marine deposits situated offshore. Namibia has the richest marine diamond deposits in the world, with an estimated reserve of over 1.5 billion carats. All of these deposits are secondary, with the diamonds originally being sourced from kimberlites in South Africa and transported via the Orange river and deposited at the mouth of the Orange River as well as along the coastlines of Namibia and neighboring South Africa. The considerable potential of these marine deposits has resulted in rapid advances in marine diamond extraction technology to the stage where marine diamonds represent about 56% of Namibia’s total diamond production. This figure is set to grow, as onshore reserves are gradually depleted.

Namdeb is Namibia’s largest diamond producer. Namdeb is an equal partnership with De Beers and the Namibian Government and is responsible for onshore mining operations as well as marine operations. Other major producers include Namco (which went bankrupt), Afri-Can Marine Diamonds, which is attempting to eveluiate and mine submarine river channels near Luderitz and Diamond Fields International.

Namdeb conducts opencast diamond mining operations over nearly 130 kilometres of the coastal strip northwards of the Orange River. De Beers Marine carries out deep-water mining on a contract basis for Namdeb. Alluvial diamond mining also occurs along the western coast and northbank of the Orange River.

Although most of Namdeb’s production is produced from onshore operations, this trend is to change with more emphasis being placed on marine diamond mining. De Beers Marine now operates six mining and survey vessels and produced 513,053 ct, mining some 2.5 km2, during 2002. Near shore and shallow marine operations suffered due to poor weather conditions. Namdeb’s resource estimates are not available, but are estimated at a minimum of ten years at current production rates.

A US$27 million project to convert the !Gariep to a drill-mining vessel at a UK shipyard on Tyneside was approved in August 2002; it will provide a 3 Mct production capacity during the vessel’s estimated 20-year operational life. Conversion was on schedule for completion by end-June 2003, some five months ahead of schedule and within budget, with the official handover to Namdeb due at the start of November 2003.

The ongoing dispute over the official border between South Africa and Namibia has resulted in several potential mining projects being placed on hold. The South African Government recognises the north bank of the Orange River to be the official border, whilst Namibian counterparts claim that the border should be located along the middle of the river channel. Naturally, these rulings will impact significantly on mining as well as agricultural industries. Plans to begin production from alluvial terraces on the northern banks of the Orange River by Namdeb have been put on hold pending a resolution on the border dispute. Namdeb plans to bring the Obib and Sendelingsdrift mines in 2004 and 2009, respectively.

Namco holds exclusive prospecting rights over five marine concessions totaling 5600 km 2 off the west coasts of Namibia (at Luderitz and Hottentots Bay) and South Africa. Namco have begun equipping the second of their mining vessels after a successful start to marine mining operations in 1998 and 1999. Production rose sharply from 100 000 carats in 1998 to over 250 000 carats for 1999. Following setbacks to Namco’s new mining tool, production in 2000 slumped to 221 000 carats. At the end of 2002 Namco suspended mining activities due to financial insolvency, and the subsequent placing of its operational subsidiaries into provisional liquidation.

The new mining vessel will increase production to over 300 000 carats per year, making Namco the world’s second largest marine diamond miner, as well as Africa’s second largest producer. However, ongoing teething problems with the new seabed crawler resulted in the unit being damaged – and as a result, Namco has had to arrange financing in order to avoid liquidation. This was achieved through the sale of the ODM vessel Ivan Prinsep to the DFI/Transhex joint venture for $4.4 million. The Leviev Group has also purchased an effective 31% of Namco, raising an additional $15 million. Whilst its seabed crawler is being fixed, the company’s other mining vessel mv Ya Toivo has resumed mining operations.

Canadian company Diamond Fields International (DFI) have completed feasibility studies over marine deposits located at their Marshall’s Fork feature in their Luderitz Bay concession. Approximately 2 Mct of resources have been identified, of which 437 000 carats are in the indicated category and 132 000 carats in the inferred category, for a total of 569 000 carats. DFI recovered a small quantity of diamonds in 1999, amounting to approximately 6700 carats. South African based Trans Hex initially teamed up with DFI in a joint venture to exploit parts of the DFI mining license (comprising the Marshall’s Fork feature as well as the Diaz 12 zone that was issued in 2000. Trans Hex provided the joint venture with two specially equipped mining and survey vessels, with production start up at the end of 2001. Production was fastracked via the acquisition of the mv Ivan Prinsep from Namco that will produce approximately 40 000 carats per year. The joint ventures’ second vessel (mv Namakwa) has been purchased and equipped for a total of approximately $5 million. Operations were suspended on 30 June 2002 after Trans Hex unilaterally terminated its involvement in the joint venture claiming its withdrawal was due to mining results coming in under the projections based on DFI’s exploration and sampling data. DFI subsequently re-commenced mining operations in December 2002 through a short-term contract with South Africa’s Gemfarm Investments, using a vessel equipped with dual 24-inch airlift mining systems. In January 2003, a second contract mining vessel was deployed by Gemfarm, equipped with a single 24-inch airlift system, and DFI predicted a significant increase in recoveries from the combined production of the two vessels.

Trans Hex is also evaluating the 30 million cubic meter gravel resource of the Northbank project located in block 9, adjacent to the Orange River in Namibia. Trans Hex also has three shallow marine licenses in the Cape Fria area, four in the Toscannini (both north of Walvis Bay) and two south of Hollandsbird Island (north of Ludertiz).

Australian junior Mt Burgess Mining is evaluationg its Tsumke project in northern Namibia on the Botswana border and has foumnd two kimberlites to date. Reefton Mining another Australian company has found good grades and diamonds in exploration trenches along the Skeleton coast.

Canadian Afri-Can Marine Minerals Corporation have established themselves as one of the largest marine diamond concession holders in Namibia with a total of 28 EPL’s that cover a total of 26 500 km2. Afri-Can are concentrating efforts on their shallow water licenses (Blocks J and K) located adjacent to Namco and Transhex/DFI licence areas, just north of Luderitz. Block J has been identified as being the most prospective following the completion of a geophysical survey. Here several prospective diamond entrapment features have been identified. Block J is located approximately 10km to the west of Namco’s Mercury Island Mining Permit..

Australian Rusina Mining (also active in Namibia through its interests in the Haib Copper Project) have acquired an EPL located along Namibia’s Skeleton Coast, stretching from Cape Fria in the south right up to the Angolan border at the Kunene River. Previous exploration along this part of the coast was last carried out in the 1940′s, where nearly 1000 carats were recovered.

Kimberlite Exploration

Exploration for primary kimberlites is restricted to north eastern Namibia, near the Angolan and Botswana borders, where several foreign Australian and Canadian juniors are active. Near Tsumkwe, Australian junior, Mount Burgess Mining NL, have successfully located two kimberlites following a series of drilling and geophysical programs. The additional discovery of a macrodiamond some distance to the south of the kimberlite discovery suggests that other potentially diamondiferous kimberlites exist in the area. Further north, towards the Angolan border, unlisted Motapa Diamonds are also evaluating the kimberlite potential of this region.

In 2004 Motapa Diamonds announced that it had defined new kimberlite cluster on the Kavango project. Drilling to date has confirmed three kimberlite bodies within the cluster, referred to as the Kaudom South Kimberlite Cluster. The kimberlite bodies are overlain by 30 to 50 meters of Kalahari formation overburden.

NamGem, a subsidiary of Namdeb, has established a cutting and polishing facility at Okahandja in central Namibia.

(MBendi.com)

Education in Namibia:

Namibia has compulsory free education for 10 years between the ages of 6 and 16. Grades 1-7 are primary level, grades 8-12 secondary. In 1998, there were 400,325 Namibian students in primary school and 115,237 students in secondary schools. The pupil-teacher ratio in 1999 was estimated at 32:1, with about 8% of the GDP being spent on education.
Most schools in Namibia are state-run, however, there are a few private schools that serve the country’s education system. Among these are St. Pauls College, Windhoek Afrikaanse Privaatskool, Deutsche Höhere Privatschule and Windhoek Gymnasium. Curriculum development, educational research, and professional development of teachers is centrally organised by the National Institute for Educational Development (NIED) in Okahandja.
There are four Teacher Training Colleges, three Colleges of Agriculture, a Police Training College, a Polytechnic, and a National University.

(Wikipedia.org)

Statistics & Facts:

• Capital City = Brazzaville
• Population = 4,125,916
• Official and Recognized Languages = French (official), Lingala and Monokutuba (lingua franca trade languages), many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo is the most widespread).
• Independence = August 15, 1960
• GDP = $16.41 BILLION (USD 2009 estimate) / Per capita = $4100
• Currency = Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs
• Religion = Christian 50%, Animist 48%, Muslim 2%

(Statistics from CIA – World Factbook)

The Republic of Congo and Diamonds:

The Republic of Congo was recently investigated by the Kimberley Process – the process developed to prevent conflict diamonds from entering the legitimate diamond supply chain. The Kimberley Process found that the Republic of Congo had met standards necessary to be re-admitted to the Kimberley Process. It is hoped that through the legitimate trade in the country’s diamond resources, benefication to local communities will soon follow.

(Diamondfacts.org)

Education in The Republic of Congo:

Public expenditure of the GDP was less in 2002-05 than in 1991. Public education is theoretically free and compulsory for under-16-year olds, but in practice, expenses exist. Net primary enrollment rate was 44% in 2005, much less than the 79% in 1991. The country has universities. Education between ages six and sixteen is compulsory. Students who complete six years of primary school and seven years of secondary school obtain a baccalaureate. At the university, students can obtain a bachelor’s degree in three years and a master’s after four. Marien Ngouabi University-which offers courses in medicine, law, and several other fields-is the country’s only public university. Instruction at all levels is in French, and the educational system as a whole models the French system. The educational infrastructure has been seriously degraded as a result of political and economic crises. There are no seats in most classrooms, forcing children to sit on the floor. Enterprising individuals have set up private schools, but they often lack the technical knowledge and familiarity with the national curriculum to teach effectively. Families frequently enroll their children in private schools only to find they cannot make the payments.

(Wikipedia.org)