Observer Money

The value of Russia’s rough-diamond production surpassed Botswana’s for the first time in 2023 even as sanctions and a weak market hindered the country’s diamond sales. The growth comes despite increased sanctions, including the addition of the European Union to the list of those banning Russian diamonds and harsher rules by the US regarding goods substantially changed in a third-party country, such as India. Last year, Russia produced 37.3 million carats of rough, with a total value of US$3.61 billion, at an average price of US$97 per carat, according to statistics the Kimberley Process (KP) in its production report. That…

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for May global air cargo markets showing continuing strong annual growth in demand. Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs*), rose by 14.7% compared to May 2023 levels (15.5% for international operations). This is the sixth consecutive month of double-digit year-on-year growth. Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTKs), increased by 6.7% compared to May 2023 (10.2% for international operations). “Air cargo demand moved sharply upwards in May across all regions. The sector benefitted from trade growth, booming e-commerce and capacity constraints on maritime shipping. The outlook remains largely positive with purchasing…

Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF)’s CEO Martin Inkumbi sat down with Observer Money on a wide range of issues regarding the operations of the biggest pension fund in the country. He talked about the GIPF’s investments, the proposed FIMA Bill and the future stability of the fund. Inkumbi was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the GIPF effective 15 January 2024. Observer Money (OM): The fund is in a healthy state at the moment, going forward what are some of the negative factors that may affect the performance of the fund? Martin Inkumbi (MI): In terms of geopolitical and economic…

CHAMWE KAIRA There are no discussions at the moment for the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) to swap to swap some of its foreign assets for local assets as the case was in 2016. CEO Martin Inkumbi said in an interview that there are no discussions on the fund swapping assets. “At the moment there is nothing like that. There are no such discussions at this stage,” he said. In 2016, the GIPF swapped foreign assets (investments) worth N$5 billion, and invested the money locally as part of a move by the government to increase foreign reserves. Power utility NamPower…

CHAMWE KAIRA Anglo American plc, which owns De Beers said in its Report on Payments to Governments for the year ended 31 December 2023, that the number of employees in Namibia dropped to 1500 from 1600 during the previous year. In Namibia, De Beers operates via a 50:50 joint operations with the Namibian government, recovering both land-based diamonds (Namdeb) and offshore diamonds (Debmarine Namibia). Total procurement in Namibia reached US$287 million compared to US$300 million in 2022. Of this amount US$162 million was spent on local procurement. Capital expenditure reached US$43 million in 2023 compared to US$45 million in 2022.…

CHAMWE KAIRA Goods worth N$3,31 billion were exported through the Walvis Bay Habour in May. This was followed by Eros Airport with N$2,2 billion worth of exports. Goods worth N$1,4 billion were exported through Katima Mulilo Border, Hosea Kutako International Airport with N$963 million, Trans Kalahari Border Post with N$746 million, Ariamsvlei Border Post with N$337 million, Noordoewer Border Post with N$261 million, Ngoma Border Post with N$72 million, Oshikango Border Post with N$51 million and the Luderitz Habour with N$48 million worth of exports. The figures are contained in the Namibia International Merchandise Trade Statistics Bulletin released by the…

CHAMWE KAIRA The Bank of Namibia’s stock of international reserves decreased by 1.2% month-on-month to N$55,6 billion as at end of May. The decrease stemmed from higher foreign government payments, as well as an increase in customer foreign currency outflows. The foreign reserves translated into 3.9 months of import cover, continuing to remain above the international benchmark of three months and adequate to support the Namibia Dollar and the South African Rand currency peg. Notably, the import cover excluding imports of oil exploration and appraisal activities stood at 4,4 months at the end of May, relative to 4.7 months recorded…

CHAMWE KAIRA Gib Mining Namibia (Pty) Ltd, the Australian based mining company intends to conduct exploration activities for uranium on Exclusive Prospecting Licence (EPL) 9924 and EPL 10131 situated east of Swakopmund, and south of the existing Langer Heinrich Uranium Mine within the Namib Naukluft National Park in the Erongo Region. The company announced that the exploration activities planned during phase one entail ground radiometric surveys, airborne radiometric, electromagnetic surveys and some grab sampling for geochemical analysis. The company said after the targets have been delineated, and deemed worthy of follow up, ground-based surveys entailing drilling and rehabilitation of the…

CHAMWE KAIRA Stampriet Aquifer Uranium Mining Association (SAUMA) has said the recent Stampriet Transboundary Aquifer System, meeting held in Mariental on 17 June was very divided into pros and cons. According SAUMA, Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Calle Schlettwein was very concerned about the pollution of the drinking water aquifer by high-grade uranium-bearing solutions. The uranium orebody is in the drinking-water aquifer, according to SAUMA. Headspring Investments (HSI), which holds eight active Exclusive Exploration Licenses (EPLs) and eight active Environmental Clearance Certificates (ECCs) for the EPLs is planning to develop a uranium mine in the area. Responding to…

CHAMWE KAIRA Andrada Mining Limited, the technology metals mining company with a portfolio of mining and exploration assets in Namibia has executed a legally binding agreement to restructure Uis Tin Mining Company (UTMC), the operational Namibian entity that holds the company's licences (ML133, ML134 and ML129) to ensure a more efficient corporate structure going forward, subject to certain conditions. The company is seeking to increase its ownership interest in UTMC, from 85% to 100% through the acquisition of the 15% interest currently held by the Small Miners of Uis (SMU). “We believe that this transaction reflects the strong and collaborative…