Staff Writer
The Chamber of Mines of Namibia has reported progress on the Mine Health and Safety Regulations.
This was announced by Zebra Kasete, President of the Chamber of Mines of Namibia, in his 2024 mining review report released recently.
The review of these regulations is nearly complete, and the updated rules will replace the outdated Safety Ordinance No. 20 of 1968.
These new regulations are set to be gazetted and enforced under the new Minerals Act in 2025.
According to Kasete, the Chamber’s Health and Safety Committee, working in partnership with the Chief Inspector of Mines, has finalised all outstanding elements of the updated regulations.
Kasete expressed satisfaction with the ongoing developments in health and safety, stating, “The completion of the review marks a critical achievement, ensuring that our mining operations adhere to the most modern standards for worker protection and environmental management.”
The Mine Health and Safety Regulations are a set of legal guidelines aimed at safeguarding the health and safety of workers and others in mines. They address various aspects such as ventilation, safety procedures, first aid, and more.
In the same report, the chamber provided updates on other key policy and legislative matters affecting the sector.
The Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) confirmed that the New Equitable Economic Empowerment Framework (NEEEF) is nearing finalisation.
This comes after renewed discussions between the Ministry of Justice and the Office of the Prime Minister.
“This development shows promise for addressing empowerment concerns and enhancing the participation of Namibians in the mining sector,” Kasete added.
The Chamber also highlighted continued engagement with the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) on the Draft Minerals Bill. Despite multiple follow-ups, Kasete said no date has been set for a workshop to address outstanding issues in the Bill, though MME has begun another internal review of the document.
The Chamber says it has offered technical assistance to the Ministry, including the expertise of legal and geological professionals, to support the drafting process.
One of the most contentious issues for the Chamber has been the government’s free carry proposal, which would require mining companies to finance the government’s equity in Namibian mines.
Kasete said the Chamber classified this as a tax matter and successfully advocated for the initiative to be addressed within the framework of taxation.
“Further technical discussions with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Mines and Energy are ongoing, and we are developing a tax model to accommodate the proposed 10% free carry shareholding,” Kasete explained.
The Chamber is also reviewing the draft Minerals Agreement under the Minerals Act, which would impose a minimum free carry shareholding of 10%. Kasete said the Chamber is seeking clarity on how this will affect existing shareholding structures before advancing further discussions.
“While there are challenges ahead, we remain focused on working with the government to create a policy and legislative environment that supports the growth and sustainability of Namibia’s mining sector.”
