In Lesotho in het zuiden van Afrika hebben mijnwerkers onlangs een diamant gevonden die als hij is geslepen de tweede grootste diamant die er ooit gevonden is kan worden. Het is belangrijk om hier aandacht aan te geven.
De steen werd op 8 september gevonden in de mijn bij de plaats Letseng. Hier zijn al vier van de grootste diamanten in de wereld tevoorschijn gekomen. De nieuwe vondst is intussen in Antwerpen, het wereldcentrum van de diamanthandel, onderzocht.
De ruwe steen weegt maar liefst 478 karaat. Wanneer hij gesneden wordt kan hij een sterkte krijgen van 150 karaat.
De eenheid karaat wordt gebruikt om de massa voor edelstenen aan te duiden. Een karaat is vastgesteld op 200 milligram. De diamant weegt dus 95.600 milligram, of iets meer dan 95 gram.
De edelsteen is in bezit van Gem Diamonds in Lesotho. Het bedrijf denkt dat de diamant tientallen miljoenen dollars waard is. Maar een betere schatting kan worden gemaakt wanneer hij geslepen is.
Cullinan diamant
De grootste steen die er ooit is gevonden blijft nog de Cullinan diamant. Deze woog in ongepolijste toestand 3.106 karaat. Toen de deze diamant geslepen was bedroeg het gewicht nog steeds 530 karaat.
De Cullinan diamant, die werd genoemd naar Sir Thomas Cullinan, de eigenaar van de diamantmijn in de buurt van Pretoria in Zuid-Afrika waar de steen in 1905 werd gevonden.
Deze steen draagt de toepasselijke bijnaam “Grote Ster van Afrika” en werd in meer dan honderd kleine diamanten versnipperd. Daarvan behoren er nu veel tot de Britse kroonjuwelen.
Lesotho is een land in het zuiden van Afrika en wordt geheel omsloten door Zuid-Afrika. Er wonen ruim 2,1 miljoen mensen. De hoofdstad is Maseru. Of en in hoeverre de bevolking een graantje mee zal pikken van de vondst is onbekend.
donderdag 16 oktober 2008
zaterdag 31 mei 2008
Africa’s efforts to tackle climate change receive 92 million boost
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Japan Friday announced a new $92 million initiative to help Africa adapt to global warming, according to a statement of the United Nations.
"Climate change is one of the most critical issues that governments and citizens around the world need to address," said Olav Kjorven, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Director of Bureau for Development Policy.
The programme, announced today during the high-level Fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), will be launched in August.
The initiative of the UNDP and Japan seeks to help governments revise their current anti-poverty strategies to come into line with climate change's potential effects on development.
"As a result of climate change, many African countries will experience increased water scarcity and worsened health and food security," Mr. Kjorven said, stressing that global warming threatens economic and social progress.
"Unless we act now, climate change may threaten everything we will attempt to achieve in the future," he added.
Of the $92 million, $11 million will be allocated to projects in collaboration with the UN Children's Fund UNICEF, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and the UN Industrial Development Organization UNIDO.
The UN and Japan have joined forces in the past on successful projects, in countries such as Afghanistan and Sudan and in the areas affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
"Climate change is one of the most critical issues that governments and citizens around the world need to address," said Olav Kjorven, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Director of Bureau for Development Policy.
The programme, announced today during the high-level Fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), will be launched in August.
The initiative of the UNDP and Japan seeks to help governments revise their current anti-poverty strategies to come into line with climate change's potential effects on development.
"As a result of climate change, many African countries will experience increased water scarcity and worsened health and food security," Mr. Kjorven said, stressing that global warming threatens economic and social progress.
"Unless we act now, climate change may threaten everything we will attempt to achieve in the future," he added.
Of the $92 million, $11 million will be allocated to projects in collaboration with the UN Children's Fund UNICEF, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and the UN Industrial Development Organization UNIDO.
The UN and Japan have joined forces in the past on successful projects, in countries such as Afghanistan and Sudan and in the areas affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
woensdag 19 december 2007
Nations in Southern part of Africa band together to scale up disaster preparedness
Eight Southern African and Indian Ocean nations have joined forces to participate in a United Nations-backed plan to combat the devastating effects of natural disasters such as floods and cyclones, according to a statement of the United Nations on Tuesday.
Cooperation in the South
Cooperation in the South
Abonneren op:
Posts (Atom)
