Patience Makwele
Geological scientists have urged Namibia to intensify exploration of its largely untapped mineral wealth and ensure more value is created locally from the resources extracted.
The call was made on Wednesday during the ministry of industries, mines and energy’s informative awareness campaigns and engagements information sharing session, where geological survey of Namibia regional mapping geologist Claudia Mutongolume and geoscientist Norwel Mwananawa unpacked the country’s mineral potential, exploration opportunities and the role of geological science in developing the sector.
Mwananawa said Namibia remains underexplored despite its long history of mining and diverse mineral endowment.
“Traditionally, we have been producing diamonds,” he said, adding that the country also has established gold, copper and uranium operations, while new mining projects and exploration activities continue to emerge.
“We quite have a lot of commodities,” Mwananawa said, describing Namibia’s geological potential as “quite huge” and stressing the need for continued exploration.
Mutongolume identified uranium, lithium, rare earth elements and copper among the minerals with significant potential to contribute to Namibia’s economic growth.
Namibia is the world’s third-largest uranium producer, behind Kazakhstan and Canada, with Rössing, Husab and Langer Heinrich as its three major operating uranium mines. Several additional uranium projects are also being advanced.
Mutongolume said lithium was another growing area of interest, particularly in the Erongo and Kunene regions, driven by global demand for minerals used in energy-transition technologies.
She also pointed to the Uis operation’s lithium and tantalum potential and the Lofdal project as an important rare-earth prospect.
“These minerals are feeding the energy transition,” Mutongolume said, referring to lithium and other critical minerals increasingly needed for technologies such as batteries and energy storage.
Mwananawa said Namibia should use the growing global demand for critical minerals to develop industries at home rather than remain primarily an exporter of raw or minimally processed materials.
“We need to move away from the extraction mentality,” he said.
He said greater local refining, processing and manufacturing could help Namibia retain employment and skills while generating more economic value from its mineral resources.
“If we add value, we are also retaining employment and skills, which will be beneficial in the long run for our country,” Mwananawa said.
Mutongolume said opportunities exist throughout the mining value chain, beginning with exploration and geological services and extending to drilling, resource estimation and environmental monitoring.
She said mining also creates indirect opportunities in equipment maintenance, transport, accommodation, catering, finance and legal services.
“There are various opportunities within the mining sector, the processing sector, as well as the manufacturing sector,” she said.
The scientists also highlighted the importance of geological information in unlocking Namibia’s mineral potential.
Mutongolume said the geological survey is generating and disseminating geological data to exploration companies, investors, government and the public through geological mapping, geochemical surveys and geophysical investigations.
Geophysical surveys help scientists investigate structures beneath the surface, particularly in areas where rock formations are concealed, while geological mapping and geochemical surveys help establish the minerals and geological formations present in different areas.
The geological survey also maintains mineral-resource databases to support exploration and investment decisions.
“Strong mining begins with good geological data,” Mutongolume said.
She said reliable, accessible and up-to-date geological information helps exploration companies reduce risks and allows investors to make better-informed decisions.
The scientists cautioned that increased exploration and mining must not come at the expense of communities or the environment.
Mwananawa said government institutions monitor mining activities to address risks including soil and water contamination and exposure to potentially harmful elements.
The geological survey also assesses environmental risks associated with abandoned mining sites.
Namibia has approximately 200 abandoned mines and mining sites requiring varying degrees of assessment and rehabilitation.
Mwananawa said responsible mine closure and rehabilitation were essential to prevent current mining activities from creating environmental burdens for future generations.
“We need to do these things in a responsible manner and ensure that our resources are not just exploited, leaving a legacy that will last for generations on our communities,” he said.
Mutongolume urged Namibians to learn more about the sector and identify ways to participate in the mining, processing and manufacturing opportunities presented by the country’s mineral wealth.
“Namibia is very endowed in mineral resources, and now the onus is on us to really see where best we can position ourselves within the chain of mining,” she said.
