Oranjemund (German for: "Mouth of Oranje") is a town situated in the extreme southwest of Namibia, on the northern bank of the Orange River mouth. It exists to service the diamond industry and has a population of 3,659 (2009). However, access is restricted to employees and their relatives, and even though it is a border post to South Africa, only persons with pre-application of 1 month are permissible.
First established in 1936, following Hans Merensky's discovery of significant alluvial diamond deposits on the north bank of the Orange River and the adjacent northern coastline. Production of mainly gem-quality diamonds has remained in the region of 2 million carats (400 kg) per year since inception of the mine, mainly through improvements in technology.
To keep the diamond workers happy in such a remote place, the town has every facility you could want with beautiful gardens, efficient services and a plentiful supply of fresh food in the shops.
The sole reason for its existence of Oranjemund is diamonds. When diamonds were discovered at the mouth of the Orange River there was of course a rush to mine them.
The authorities then blocked of the area to the public and only companies such as Anglo American or de Beers were granted concessions to mine the area.
Of course with your assets lying on the ground and over a wide area it is necessary to fence off the place and to stop pilfering by your staff. It was to mine diamonds in a secure area that Oranjemund was built.
Houses were provided in Oranjemund for the miners with families and barracks were provided for single men to live in. Of course there are entertainment areas, pubs and sports fields as well.
Transportation
The Oranjemund Airport has services operated by Air Namibia going to Cape Town, Lüderitz, Walvis Bay and Windhoek.
One travels north along the N7 highway until you reach Springbok. There you turn north west and drive to Port Nolloth and from there north to Alexander bay where you have to leave your car in a parking lot on the south bank of the river. You cannot just arrive as you will not be allowed in.
Your visit must be planned and a permit must be obtained to enter Oranjemund. On arrival you are collected on the south bank by car and driven across the river. You are taken into a reception area where you are registered and only then allowed into the complex.
The mining takes place on the coast where they have earth moving machinery that removes the sand from the bedrock and shale beneath it. The shale is then transported to sorters where the diamonds are sifted out of it. Once all the shale has been removed from the beaches miners are sent in to scour the rocks to find any diamonds that may have been left behind by the machinery.
Once this has been done the sand is returned and the miners move to the next area to be mined. Of course every miner who works the beaches has to be checked daily for possible theft of diamonds.
Jowells Garage Industria Road Oranjemund
Delivery / Collection: Yes
Open on Public Holidays: Yes
Operating Hours
Monday 08h00 - 17h00
Tuesday 08h00 - 17h00
Wednesday 08h00 - 17h00
Thursday 08h00 - 17h00
Friday 08h00 - 17h00
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed
Public Holidays
01 January, 21 March, 01 May, 03 May, 25 May, 26 August, 10 December, 25 December, 26 December |
