Diamondiferous Kimberlite Potential of Namibia

The economy of Namibia is largely based on the exploitation of its extensive fluvial diamond placer deposits along the Orange River as well as alluvial and eluvial placers along the coastline. In addition, a potential for diamondiferous kimberlite pipes that have been discovered and are currently being mined in neighboring Botswana and South Africa has recently been recognized.

Various criteria have been used in diamond-bearing kimberlite exploration (e.g., identification of Archean cratonic areas, zones of crustal weakness as identified by the presence of intrusive bodies and/or geophysical data, geothermal gradients, and chemistry of indicator minerals). Together with other basic information, these features have been compiled in this map, which is being used as a prospecting tool to aid in the continuing search for diamonds in Namibia.