The Deputy Minister of Mines and Energy says there are no diamonds at the Old Toscanini mine in Skeleton Coast Park, in the Kunene Region.

According to the Ministry of Mines and Energy, companies have been exploring diamonds in the area since the 1950s.

Ya Otto Investment Holdings is the third company to be given two exploration licences, and the ministry says activities started in November last year until March 2023, when the licence expired.

The Mines and Energy Deputy Minister, Kornelia Shilunga, accompanied Members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economics and Public Administration, who were visiting diamond exploration sites in the Kunene and Erongo Regions.

"They have made some exploration; so far they have taken some samples that they have taken to the laboratories for an investigation to see whether there are diamonds here, Hon Dingara, Hon members, so far they have not found diamonds, but they are looking forward to continuing exploring to just make sure that there are diamonds or not."

Shilunga says the ministry is encouraging mining activities to take place in the country, and officials will consider Ya Otto's application for renewal.

"We also want to make sure that whatever revenue we get from the resources or the mineral resources in this country contributes to the social and economic development of this country."

Among the reasons why Ya Otto Investment wants to continue exploration, Chief Diamond Inspector Patrick Elungu indicated that the company has not yet covered the whole area and the activities are capital-intensive.