CHAMWE KAIRA
Andrada Mining’s direct economic contribution to Namibia increased by 6% to N$775.2 million in the 2026 financial year, driven by wages, royalties and procurement as the company expanded its operations at Uis Mine.
The contribution, which exceeded £33.17 million, compares with £31.39 million (N$731.07 million) recorded in the financial year ended February 2025.
According to the company’s FY2026 Sustainability Report, remuneration paid locally at Uis amounted to approximately N$103.3 million, compared with N$100.38 million in FY2025.
Andrada recruited 126 employees during the year and appointed 11 graduates from local communities to a 12-month internship programme covering various disciplines.
Two interns were subsequently employed permanently at the Uis Mine processing plant, while the remaining participants secured employment with other Namibian employers.
The company worked with 241 active suppliers during the financial year, of which 189, or 78%, were Namibian businesses.
Applying the World Bank’s mining-sector economic multiplier, Andrada estimated that its activities generated an additional N$330.2 million in indirect economic benefits across the Namibian economy.
Chief executive Anthony Viljoen said the expansion of operations at Uis was creating greater opportunities for employment, local procurement and skills development.
He said the company was also investing in developing a pipeline of Namibian skills for its operations and the wider mining sector.
On water management, Andrada reused approximately 101 287 cubic metres of low-quality, non-potable pit water, reducing its reliance on groundwater.
However, total water withdrawals increased to 242,537 cubic metres from 201 299 cubic metres in FY2025, while water withdrawal intensity rose to 0.23 cubic metres per tonne of ore processed from 0.21 cubic metres.
The company attributed the increases mainly to higher mining and processing activity.
Groundwater monitoring, hydrogeological investigations, numerical modelling and borehole test-pumping confirmed the feasibility of additional water supply sources.
Andrada is also engaging the ministry of agriculture, water and land reform on long-term water supply solutions, including desalination, which it said could benefit both its operations and surrounding communities.
Despite the higher activity levels, hazardous waste generation declined by 26% to 42 tonnes from 57 tonnes.
Andrada also made progress towards alignment with the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM), including completing an options assessment for its proposed co-disposal facility.
Its FY2027 priorities include appointing an Engineer of Record, conducting further tailings-material characterisation and advancing detailed design work.
Biodiversity management at Uis continues to be guided by the company’s Biodiversity Action Plan, supported by ecosystem services and residual impact assessments that inform water stewardship, rehabilitation and mine closure planning.
