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Erongo Region is setting its sights on transforming its mineral riches into more tangible local benefits, with plans underway to craft a regional mineral beneficiation strategy. Governor Nathalia /Goagoses made the announcement during her State of the Region Address held in Swakopmund, signalling a shift toward greater regional value addition in Namibia’s mining capital.
“The regional leadership will engage stakeholders to map critical minerals and to develop a regional integrated mineral beneficiation strategy, which will result in the actual beneficiation of these resources,” /Goagoses said. The plan is closely aligned with the SWAPO Party Manifesto Implementation Plan and is set to be fleshed out further in Erongo’s strategic plan, expected to launch in August.
Erongo is home to nine of Namibia’s 26 operational mines, including heavyweights like Husab, Rössing, and Langer Heinrich for uranium, the Uis Mine for tin, QKR Navachab and Osino Resources’ Twin Hills for gold, and growing sites for critical minerals such as lithium, tantalum, and zinc. This makes the region the country’s mining heartbeat, contributing significantly to jobs, investment, and exports.
In 2024 alone, the mining sector supported 7 807 jobs in Erongo, with total procurement spending reaching N$17.86 billion. A notable 70.3% of this spending remained within Namibia, underscoring the sector’s growing local impact. Exploration investment climbed to N$694 million, while sector exports are forecast to jump by nearly 22% in 2025, potentially reaching N$41 billion.
The Governor also highlighted specific mine performances during the review period. Husab Mine reported a 13% increase in production and was credited with creating 6 000 jobs across both direct and indirect employment. Langer Heinrich resumed operations in 2024, pumping N$1.5 billion into its restart and generating 1 000 new jobs. Meanwhile, Rössing significantly boosted its spending from N$3.88 billion to N$5.23 billion, with an impressive 84% of its procurement done locally and a workforce that is 99% Namibian.
As Erongo looks ahead, the beneficiation strategy is poised to become a cornerstone in reshaping how mining wealth is shared, aiming to ensure that more value remains within the region and contributes to sustainable development.
