The rough hand of the market. extracting semi-precious stones in Namibia for global supply chains

Abstract

This article examines how semi-precious stone supply chains in Namibia are territorially embedded and integrated into global markets. It highlights the local dynamics of artisanal extraction in the Erongo region and analyzes the requalification processes that transform these stones as they move from extraction to circulation. The study is based on fieldwork conducted between 2023 and 2025 in the mining sites of Xoboxobos and Tubusis, combining participant observation and interviews with miners, intermediaries, and small-scale mining professionals. It first explores the territorialization of mining practices, then examines the role of intermediaries in the circulation of semi-precious stones, and finally interrogates the mechanisms of deterritorialization that integrate these resources into global supply chains. By jointly mobilizing the concepts of extractive territoriality and scalability, this article shows how the local anchoring of semi-precious stone extraction in Namibia structures market dynamics. It also reveals how supply chains adjust their procurement practices to integrate into global circuits.