| What diamond moratorium? |
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| Written by Desie Heita | ||||
Page 2 of 2 “Contrary to some perceptions, no new license was granted by the Ministry of Mines and Energy after the moratorium. Yes there has been transfers of licenses and new joint ventures that resulted in change of names,” said Hamutenya, adding that “our files are clean and well organised. It is clear when and which minister issued what license.” He said Section 21 of the Diamond Act allows for transfers of diamond cutting and polishing licenses at the discretion of the Minister, if someone takes over a controlling stake. Hamutenya further said some of the license holders had been inactive as there were no sufficient diamonds to cut and polish. “But because they were not active in Namibia and were not here raising hell about not being supplied with rough diamonds, when they resurfaced some people think they were granted with new licenses,” he said. |
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