Debmarine Namibia

Type title here09 April 2013

PRESS RELEASEWindhoek, Namibia

Debmarine Namibia

Debmarine Namibia unveiled its newest mining vessel, the mv Mafuta, which was purchased forN$650 Million. The mv Mafuta will be the largest mining vessel, in the Debmarine Namibia fleetof five vessels, and is expected to produce approximately 350 000 carats annually equivalent to30% Debmarine Namibia production. The new vessel was unveiled at a glittering ceremony inWindhoek, Namibia on Monday 8 April 2013.

Speaking at the occasion, the President of the Republic of Namibia, His Excellency HifikepunyePohamba, said “the partnership between the Government of Namibia and De Beers, is afantastic model of what is achievable when private and public sector collaborate to createmeaningful economic empowerment for the people of the country.”

The CEO of Debmarine Namibia, Otto Shikongo on his part, paid tribute to the men and womenof Debmarine Namibia, noting that “it is through your continued hard work, diligence andcommitment that Debmarine Namibia is today the largest producer of diamonds in Namibia.” Henoted that in 2012, Debmarine Namibia turnover reached around N$4 billion, the companyaccounted for around N$1.3 billion to the Namibian treasury in taxes including royalties, as wellas N$538 million in dividends to its shareholding Company. “We believe we are unrivalled in ourcontribution to the Namibian Treasury in that respect”. He remarked.

Also speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of Mines and Energy, Isak Katali, congratulatedDebmarine Namibia for attaining ten years of operations in Namibia. The minister noted that “itis pleasing that Debmarine Namibia continues to lead the world in marine mining technology andI hope that Debmarine Namibia can grow further to enhance its position as a true global leader.”

About Debmarine Namibia:Debmarine Namibia is a Namibian registered company, owned in equal shares by theGovernment of the Republic of Namibia and De Beers. Debmarine Namibia mines off-shore onthe south-western coast of Namibia, at water depths of up to 140 meters. The company has fivemining vessels, the newest being the mv Mafuta, which was purchased at a cost of N$650 Millionin November 2012. The company produces approximately 1 million carats a year, making it thelargest producer of diamonds in Namibia. Debmarine Namibia is the world’s leader in off-shoremining technology, and has a workforce of around 780. The CEO is Mr Otto Shikongo, amechanical engineer by qualification.

About the mv MafutaThe mv Mafuta was purchased from De Beers Consolidated Mines for N$650 Million inNovember 2012. Following its acquisition it was ‘christened’ to the mv Mafuta – which meansseas or great waters – in the Oshiwambo language of Namibia. Previously the vessel was knownas the “Peace in Africa”. The vessel is the largest in the Debmarine Namibia fleet of five vessels.It will produce approximately 350 000 carats annually. It is about 170 meters in length, depth of15 meters, breadth of 24 meters, and weighs approximately 16 000 tonnes. The vessel employscrawler mounted technology. The vessel is registered with the port of Lüderitz in Namibia.Approximately 57 crew work on the vessel.

Type title here 09 April 2013

A toast to the mv Mafuta:From left to right: His Excellency Dr Sam Nujoma – Founding President and Father of theNamibian Nation, His Excellency President Hifikepunye Pohamba – President of the Republic ofNamibia and Mr Otto Shikongo – CEO of Debmarine Namibia

Left: HE President Hifikepunye Pohamba – President of the Republic of Namibia was the Keynote Speaker.

Right: Honourable Isak Katali, Minister of Mines & Energy presented the Toast to the newly acquired vessel, the Mafuta.

Mr Philippe Mellier, CEO De Beers Group Mr. Otto Shikongo, CEO Debmarine Namibia

Type title here09 April 2013

Toast momentFrom left to right: Mr Bruce Cleaver (De Beers Group), Mr Philippe Mellier (CEO De Beers Group), Mrs Inge Zamwaani-Kamwi (CEO Namdeb), His Excellency Dr Sam Nujoma – Founding President and Father of the Namibian Nation, His Excellency President Hifikepunye Pohamba –President of the Republic of Namibia, Mr Otto Shikongo (CEO Debmarine Namibia)

Long Service Award recipients (25 and 30 years of service): Back row left to right – Anton Swart, Harold Schoeman, Captain Marek Lipowski, Johan Lloyd, Raymond Matongo and Carel Beukes.Front left to right - Otto Shikongo, Trevor Julius, Cyril van Kervel, Wilhelmus Mostert, Elizabeth Tjimune, Nigel Yon, Dirk Swanepoel, Joseph Hamukuaja and Pius Petrus.

Type title here09 April 2013

Sparkling voyage of celebrationIt was a spectacular night, guided by the Debmarine Namibia internal Strategic theme “Navigate bythe Stars” and the company slogan “Unlocking the Sparkle”. Guests were further entertained bybeautiful models wearing the 2012/2013 Namibia Diamond Trading Company (NDTC) Shining LightDiamond Pieces, performance of the Company song, gumboot dancers and comedy.

Vessel Renaming Ceremony: In line with maritime traditions, the newly acquired diamond mining vessel formerly known asthe Peace in Africa was christened and renamed the MAFUTA at a ceremony in Cape Town on18 March 2013. The vessel was in the harbour for pre-planned maintenance.

Vessel Renaming Ceremony: From left to right: Reverend Phillemon Haufiku, Mr P Vilho –Navy Commander of the Republic of Namibia, Mr Otto Shikongo – CEO Debmarine Namibia, Mrs Shikongo, Mr Phillip Barton – CEO De Beers Consolidated Mines, Mr F Negumbo –Namibian Navy, Captain B Swart –Captain of the Mafuta, Mr Jan Nel –Operations Manager Debmarine Namibia and Mr Domingos Valbom – GM De Beers Marine SA.