Glass factory planned for Rehoboth

A feasibility study to establish a small-scale glass factory in Rehoboth was this week approved by Cabinet.

Cabinet gave approval to the Ministry of Mines and Energy to go ahead with the study in co-operation with the Ministry of Trade and Industry. The Czech Geological Survey sent a team of geologists to Namibia after President Nujoma visited that country in 2000.In co-operation with the Geological Survey of Namibia, they have found that the quartz occurrences in the Rehoboth area are suitable for container glass making.Rehoboth is close to the source of the raw material and water and electricity is readily available, Government says.The Ministry of Mines and Energy has already studied options for making glass from recycled material and, “the cost could be lowered if the (raw)material is mixed with 70 per cent recycled material,” the Information Ministry said in a statement.A special occurrence of quartz found on the farm Choaberib in the Rehoboth district, with slightly elevated contents of cobalt, can supply raw material from which decorative glass, souvenirs, and glass jewelry can be made as it gives the glass an attractive aquamarine-blue colour, the Ministry said.The Czech Geological Survey sent a team of geologists to Namibia after President Nujoma visited that country in 2000.In co-operation with the Geological Survey of Namibia, they have found that the quartz occurrences in the Rehoboth area are suitable for container glass making.Rehoboth is close to the source of the raw material and water and electricity is readily available, Government says.The Ministry of Mines and Energy has already studied options for making glass from recycled material and, “the cost could be lowered if the (raw)material is mixed with 70 per cent recycled material,” the Information Ministry said in a statement.A special occurrence of quartz found on the farm Choaberib in the Rehoboth district, with slightly elevated contents of cobalt, can supply raw material from which decorative glass, souvenirs, and glass jewelry can be made as it gives the glass an attractive aquamarine-blue colour, the Ministry said.