Chamber of Mines supports value addition Chamwe Kaira  The Chamber of Mines of Namibia has clarified that it supports the government’s plan to add value to minerals in the country. CEO Veston Malango clarified in an interview with Observer Money that the Chamber of Mines of Namibia supports local value addition to all minerals produced in Namibia to grow the economy and create jobs.  He said Chamber had already in June 2023 welcomed the cabinet decision on the understanding that cabinet was referring to the ban on the export of mineral ores, meaning ores of all the minerals mentioned in the cabinet decision. Malango said the chamber has already stated that it is necessary for the government to control and regulate the export of unprocessed critical minerals to support job creation and grow the economy in line with the African Mining Vision. The cabinet announced in June 2023 that it had approved the prohibition for the export of certain critical minerals, such as unprocessed crushed lithium ore, cobalt, manganese, graphite and rare earth elements; and the cabinet approved that smaller quantities of the abovementioned minerals may be allowed for export at the discretion of the minister of mines and energy, subject to cabinet endorsement. Malango further explained that some of the views contained in the chamber’s position on Namibia’s performance in the 2024 Fraser Survey were those of the exploration companies that were surveyed by the survey and not those of the chamber. He added that the chamber does not support the views of concerns raised in the survey by one of the exploration company presidents, who was cited as saying that the requirement to process rare earth elements and lithium locally may have stifled the potential for developing these deposits in the country, particularly due to their small size, creating uncertainty and deterring investment. The exploration company president was further quoted as saying the requirement for farmland transfer when purchasing a mine or mining licence is cumbersome and time-consuming, creating unnecessary delays and deterring investment. The 2024 Fraser Institute Survey of Mining Companies has reported a notable improvement in Namibia’s performance on the Investment Attractiveness Index (IAI), rising by 10 points from 56 in 2023 to 66 in 2024. This improvement elevated Namibia’s global ranking to 35th out of 82 jurisdictions, up from 42nd out of 86 in the previous year.  In the African context, Namibia retained its position as the 4th most attractive mining investment destination out of 20 jurisdictions surveyed, consistent with its ranking in 2023 and marking a steady rise from 6th out of 16 jurisdictions in 2022. On the Policy Perception Index (PPI), Namibia ranked as the second most attractive jurisdiction in Africa, a key contributor to its overall investment appeal. Botshiwe said the mining industry was proud of Namibia’s improved ranking in the global investment landscape for mining and increasing competitiveness among her African peers as a sought-after mining investment jurisdiction. This performance is reflected in the substantial increase in exploration activity, which increased by 106.3% and 7.3%, respectively, in 2024, Botshiwe said.  While Namibia performed exceptionally well on its PPI score and ranking, no substantial progress was made in finalising the Draft Minerals Bill in 2024. Technical discussions commenced on the previously proposed state-owned free carry; however, the recent announcement by the Minister of Mines and Energy regarding 51% local ownership has introduced a new wave of policy uncertainty to the mining sector.  The chamber said it is actively engaging with government stakeholders to advocate for a mutually beneficial policy framework that promotes local empowerment while safeguarding the competitiveness and growth of Namibia’s mining sector.

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Namibia’s mining sector contributes over N$30 billion to state coffers since 2019 Namibia’s mining industry has delivered a substantial N$31.463 billion in revenue to the national government since 2019, cementing its role as a critical pillar of the nation’s economy. This significant financial contribution, revealed last week by Chamber of Mines of Namibia President George Botshiwe during his welcome address at the

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Mining sector revenue declines Mining sector revenue declines NBC Online Tue, 07/15/2025 - 14:41

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Chamber of Mines pushes forward with new safety standards for mines Staff Writer  The Chamber of Mines of Namibia has reported progress on the Mine Health and Safety Regulations. This was announced by Zebra Kasete, President of the Chamber of Mines of Namibia, in his 2024 mining review report released recently. The review of these regulations is nearly complete, and the updated rules will replace the outdated Safety Ordinance No. 20 of 1968.  These new regulations are set to be gazetted and enforced under the new Minerals Act in 2025. According to Kasete, the Chamber’s Health and Safety Committee, working in partnership with the Chief Inspector of Mines, has finalised all outstanding elements of the updated regulations. Kasete expressed satisfaction with the ongoing developments in health and safety, stating, “The completion of the review marks a critical achievement, ensuring that our mining operations adhere to the most modern standards for worker protection and environmental management.” The Mine Health and Safety Regulations are a set of legal guidelines aimed at safeguarding the health and safety of workers and others in mines. They address various aspects such as ventilation, safety procedures, first aid, and more.  In the same report, the chamber provided updates on other key policy and legislative matters affecting the sector.  The Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) confirmed that the New Equitable Economic Empowerment Framework (NEEEF) is nearing finalisation.  This comes after renewed discussions between the Ministry of Justice and the Office of the Prime Minister. “This development shows promise for addressing empowerment concerns and enhancing the participation of Namibians in the mining sector,” Kasete added.  The Chamber also highlighted continued engagement with the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) on the Draft Minerals Bill. Despite multiple follow-ups, Kasete said no date has been set for a workshop to address outstanding issues in the Bill, though MME has begun another internal review of the document.  The Chamber says it has offered technical assistance to the Ministry, including the expertise of legal and geological professionals, to support the drafting process. One of the most contentious issues for the Chamber has been the government’s free carry proposal, which would require mining companies to finance the government’s equity in Namibian mines.  Kasete said the Chamber classified this as a tax matter and successfully advocated for the initiative to be addressed within the framework of taxation.  “Further technical discussions with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Mines and Energy are ongoing, and we are developing a tax model to accommodate the proposed 10% free carry shareholding,” Kasete explained. The Chamber is also reviewing the draft Minerals Agreement under the Minerals Act, which would impose a minimum free carry shareholding of 10%. Kasete said the Chamber is seeking clarity on how this will affect existing shareholding structures before advancing further discussions. “While there are challenges ahead, we remain focused on working with the government to create a policy and legislative environment that supports the growth and sustainability of Namibia’s mining sector.”

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Chamber of Mines pays tribute to Namibia’s mining giant Mark Dawe - The Namibian - Chamber of Mines pays tribute to Namibia’s mining giant Mark Dawe  The Namibian -

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