Mining urged to deepen local economic impact…….Kröhne says local content must include wider range of activities

The government has called on mining development across the country to ensure sectoral development delivers meaningful economic and social benefits to Namibians beyond direct employment.

Deputy Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy Gaudentia Kröhne made this call during a site visit to the Etango Uranium Project in the Erongo region on 18 September, where she engaged project management on construction progress, local participation, employment prospects, environmental considerations and corporate social investment (CSI).

Kröhne said Namibia’s mining developments must create broader opportunities for local businesses and communities through increased local procurement, enterprise development and skills development.

She emphasised that the benefits of resource extraction should extend beyond jobs to include opportunities for locally-owned businesses and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to participate in mining supply chains.

“Resource extraction must directly build local capacity and translate into tangible opportunities for Namibians through employment, local procurement and the empowerment of Namibian businesses and MSMEs,” the Deputy Minister said.

The Etango project’s existing focus on local participation was welcomed by Kröhne, but she stressed that local content should encompass a wider range of economic activities. Areas highlighted during the engagement included educational support for vocational and tertiary training, business incubation for young Namibian entrepreneurs, and assistance to local health clinics. Kröhne also called for larger and more sustainable community interventions, pointing to support schools, clinics, roads and other community infrastructure as areas where mining projects could generate lasting benefits.

While acknowledging the importance of education-focused initiatives already undertaken by the project, the Deputy Minister said mining companies should strengthen interventions that can have a sustained impact on surrounding communities.

The Deputy Minister’s sentiments come as Namibia continues to seek greater domestic economic value from its mineral resources, with local procurement and enterprise development increasingly viewed as important mechanisms for ensuring that mining expenditure circulates within the domestic economy.

The Etango project is expected to operate amid heightened scrutiny of the environmental implications of mining developments, particularly in environmentally sensitive areas.

Kröhne therefore stressed the importance of responsible mining practices, given the project’s location within a sensitive environmental area.

During the site visit, she inspected construction activities and engaged project officials on environmental considerations alongside the project’s economic and social contributions.

In a statement, the ministry noted that the Etango visit forms part of continued engagement with the domestic mining sector and efforts to promote responsible resource development that generates wider economic and social benefits. For government, the Etango development represents not only an investment in uranium production, but also an opportunity to demonstrate how large-scale mining can support local businesses, develop skills and strengthen surrounding communities.

*– ebrandt@nepc.com.na *

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