Mining applicants fail to secure traditional authority consent
Allexer Namundjembo
Many prospective miners continue to submit incomplete or substandard applications, often without securing the required consent from traditional authorities.
This was revealed by deputy executive director in the ministry of industries, mines and energy, Erasmus Shivolo during a presentation at the 2025 Mining Expo & Conference on Thursday.
Shivolo said the ministry frequently receives speculative and premature applications, lacking key documents such as proof of technical and financial capacity.
“These kinds of applications slow down the approval process due to the back-and-forth required to address deficiencies,” he explained.
He added that some applications are submitted for restricted or environmentally sensitive areas, further delaying evaluations.
According to him, others overlap, as multiple applicants target the same area, and these must be processed on a first-come, first-served basis, adding to the ministry’s workload.
“Inactive licences are also a concern, as they tie up promising ground and restrict access to other potential developers,” Shivolo said.
He acknowledged that the ministry is facing a backlog due to the high volume of applications and limited staffing.
However, to address this, he said digital licensing reforms are being implemented, with stricter application standards and better coordination to reduce processing times.
This year’s mining expo and conference, now in its 11th edition, was hosted under the theme “Unlocking Namibia’s Mineral Wealth”.
Organised by the Chamber of Mines of Namibia, the event brought together policymakers, industry leaders, investors, and service providers. The mining sector contributed 13.25% to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2024.
Shivolo said Namibia remains one of Africa’s most stable and attractive mining destinations.
He noted that there are currently 588 exclusive prospecting licenses (EPLs), 1 150 mining claims, and only 165 active mining licenses (MLs).
He added that applications are frequently made for minerals such as diamonds, gold, copper, rare earths, uranium, industrial minerals, and dimension stone.
“Licence holders range from individual Namibians to local and foreign investors,” Shivolo said.
Reforms are underway to address long-standing challenges. These include digital systems, better coordination, and fixed licensing window periods to reduce delays and improve turnaround times.
The ministry is also focused on boosting local value addition and mineral beneficiation to reduce raw material exports and strengthen domestic industrialisation.
“Exporting raw materials is a missed opportunity,” Shivolo said.
The government aims to grow a competitive mineral processing industry that creates jobs and builds economic resilience.
Shivolo further acknowledged the challenges faced by small-scale miners, including lack of finance, equipment, and regulatory hurdles.
The ministry is introducing support schemes, training programmes, and market linkage efforts to assist these operators.
