By Glen-Nora Tjipura
The 2024 Mining Expo and Conference, held at the Windhoek Showgrounds from August 7-9, marked the 11th edition of an event that has become central to Namibia’s mining industry. Under the theme “Green Shoots for Namibia’s Mining Industry: A Season of Opportunity and Growth to Drive Economic Expansion,” the event gathered industry leaders, government officials, and stakeholders to discuss the future of mining in Namibia.
In her opening remarks, Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah underscored the vital role mining plays in Namibia’s economy. She noted that mining continues to be a significant contributor to government revenue, with a substantial increase from N$4.4 billion in 2022 to N$6.8 billion in 2023. Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasized the importance of managing the country’s mineral resources to maximize economic benefits for all Namibians. “Namibia is our country, and its resources belong to us as Namibians. We must work together for shared, balanced prosperity,” she stated.
Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo, addressed the challenges facing the sector, particularly the backlog in evaluating exploration license applications due to a surge in new applications. “As of December 2023, we had over 600 new applications that needed to be evaluated. Since January 2024, we have received over 400 new applications,” he revealed.
To address these challenges, Alweendo announced stricter measures to ensure that only applicants with the necessary financial and technical capabilities are awarded licenses. “This is necessary, lest we delay the discoveries of minerals and consequently deprive the Namibian people of their deserved economic benefits,” he explained.
A significant focus of the conference was the role of critical raw minerals in supporting the global energy transition. Namibia, rich in these critical minerals, aims to become a significant player in this sector. Mines and Energy Minister Alweendo articulated the country’s vision to lead in the supply chain of critical minerals, with a strong emphasis on in-country value addition. “Our objective is to build a critical minerals sector that will create jobs throughout the value chain, from exploration to manufacturing,” he stated.
Responding to concerns about resource nationalism, the Minister defended the government’s policies on value addition as essential for creating jobs and improving livelihoods. “This kind of attitude shows a total lack of concern about our socio-economic challenges,” he asserted.
The Expo also highlighted progress in advancing local content within the mining sector, Nandi-Ndaitwah praised the industry for allocating a significant portion of its procurement budget to local businesses, with allocations averaging between 60% and 80%. She also introduced the “National Database of Mining Goods and Services,” designed to help Namibian entrepreneurs tap into commercial opportunities within the mining sector.
“The development of these industries will undoubtedly create more employment opportunities for Namibians, particularly for our youth,” Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasized. She called for stronger collaboration between industries, government ministries, and educational institutions to support the growth of the mining supply chain.
The 2024 Mining Expo and Conference reaffirmed Namibia’s commitment to sustainable growth and shared prosperity. Both Nandi-Ndaitwah and Minister Alweendo emphasized the need for collaboration, innovation, and responsible stewardship of resources. As Nandi-Ndaitwah concluded, “The mining industry is not a sunset industry, but one alive with opportunity. We must cultivate and support continued investment in exploration to increase the probability of discovering new mines and extending the life of existing ones.”
The Expo set a clear path forward, highlighting the critical role that mining will continue to play in Namibia’s economy and the importance of ensuring that the benefits of the country’s mineral wealth are equitably shared among its citizens. As Namibia navigates the complexities of global markets and environmental sustainability, the mining sector remains a cornerstone of the nation’s economic future.