Namibian mining industry
BANNERMAN ENERGY | AUG 2024
CoM NURTURES ‘GREEN SHOOTS’ IN
NAMIBIAN MINING INDUSTRY
10
15
20
2000
2023
contribution to GDP
contribution to GDP
Source: Namibia Statistics Agency
Number of mines in Namibia
25
25
Number of CoM members
120
120
Number of people directly employed
by the mining sector
18 189
18 189
ining is the largest primary industry
ining is the largest primary industry
contributor to the Gross Domestic Product
contributor to the Gross Domestic Product
of Namibia, which grew by 18.9% in 2023 and
of Namibia, which grew by 18.9% in 2023 and
contributed 14.4% to GDP. The sector employs
contributed 14.4% to GDP. The sector employs
over 18 000 people. Overseeing this growth is
over 18 000 people. Overseeing this growth is
the Chamber of Mines of Namibia (CoM), formed
the Chamber of Mines of Namibia (CoM), formed
in 1969 with the sole mandate to protect the
in 1969 with the sole mandate to protect the
interests of its members, while promoting the
interests of its members, while promoting the
sustainable growth of mining and exploration,
sustainable growth of mining and exploration,
in order to maximise economic gain for the
in order to maximise economic gain for the
Namibian nation at large.
Namibian nation at large.
It has clearly delivered on its mandate.
It has clearly delivered on its mandate.
Werner Ewald, Managing Director of BMRN,
Werner Ewald, Managing Director of BMRN,
confirms that the working relationship with the
confirms that the working relationship with the
CoM is mutually supportive. “We engage on
CoM is mutually supportive. “We engage on
various levels with other mines in the country
various levels with other mines in the country
on matters that affect the whole mining sector.
on matters that affect the whole mining sector.
These relate to exploration, human resources,
These relate to exploration, human resources,
safety and health, environmental or tax-related
safety and health, environmental or tax-related
issues. By learning from one another, we can
issues. By learning from one another, we can
effectively engage with our line ministry, the
effectively engage with our line ministry, the
Ministry of Mines & Energy, and continually
Ministry of Mines & Energy, and continually
improve our performance as an industry.”
improve our performance as an industry.”
The CoM expects the Namibian Mining Industry
The CoM expects the Namibian Mining Industry
to be widely respected as a safe, environmentally
to be widely respected as a safe, environmentally
responsible, globally competitive and
responsible, globally competitive and
meaningful contributor to the long-term
meaningful contributor to the long-term
prosperity of Namibia.
prosperity of Namibia.
According to the Chamber’s CEO, Veston
According to the Chamber’s CEO, Veston
Malango: “Through our active advocacy and
Malango: “Through our active advocacy and
leadership, we influence policies affecting the
leadership, we influence policies affecting the
sector, and work diligently towards sustaining
sector, and work diligently towards sustaining
and maintaining a regulatory environment which
and maintaining a regulatory environment which
attracts investment and promotes the growth of
attracts investment and promotes the growth of
the Namibian mining industry.”
the Namibian mining industry.”
One of the most visible ways in which the
One of the most visible ways in which the
Chamber promotes its members is through the
Chamber promotes its members is through the
annual Namibia Mining Expo, which brings the
annual Namibia Mining Expo, which brings the
entire extractives sector under one roof. The
entire extractives sector under one roof. The
theme for 2024 is both apt – and promising:
theme for 2024 is both apt – and promising:
“Green Shoots for Namibia’s Mining Industry:
“Green Shoots for Namibia’s Mining Industry:
A Season of Opportunity and Growth to Drive
A Season of Opportunity and Growth to Drive
Economic Expansion”. This event is taking place
Economic Expansion”. This event is taking place
from 7-8 August 2024 at the Windhoek Show
from 7-8 August 2024 at the Windhoek Show
Grounds.
Grounds.
10.1%
14.4%
GROWTH OF MINING’S CONTRIBUTION TO NAMIBIA