Renthia Kaimbi
Rössing Uranium, the world’s longest-running open-pit uranium mine, marked its golden jubilee with a gala dinner in Swakopmund on Tuesday, celebrating half a century of operation and its deep-rooted ties with the Erongo Region.
The event brought together government officials, community leaders, and industry partners to honour the mine’s legacy and chart a course for the future.
The evening was a testament to the symbiotic relationship between the mine and its host community.
Erongo Governor Nathalia /Goagoses, represented by Erongo Regional Council chairperson Lazarus Kanelombe, lauded Rössing as more than just an industrial operation.
“For the people of the Erongo Region, Rössing is more than a mine. It is a neighbour. It is a partner. It is part of our story,” she said, highlighting that the mine’s success is intrinsically linked to the people it employs and supports.
Her remarks highlighted the mine’s significant economic contributions, noting that most of its procurement is done locally, strengthening businesses and creating a multiplier effect throughout the region.
This local focus was echoed by Yongshun Liang, Vice President of CNUC Namibia, the mine’s majority owner. He affirmed a long-term commitment, stating that CNNC is “here to stay” and envisions a future for Rössing that spans the next 50 years.
“We want Rössing not only to celebrate its first 50 years, but also to continue operating responsibly into the next 50 years and beyond,” Liang said, emphasising the vision of a “Century Mine.”
He pledged continued support for strengthening the resource base, upholding safety standards, green development, and most importantly, localised development to bring more opportunities to the people of Erongo.
The 50th anniversary comes at a time of robust performance for the mine.
According to its latest sustainability report, Rössing recorded one of its strongest operational years in 2025, producing 3 185 tonnes of uranium oxide and generating over N$5.12 billion spent on goods and services in 2025, of which N$4.02 billion went to Namibian-registered suppliers.
Beyond the statistics, the celebration highlighted a profound social legacy.
/Goagoses noted that “sustainability is not measured only by the life of a mine. It is measured by the legacy we leave behind in the lives of our people.”
The mine’s impact is personified in the stories of its employees, like foreman Jacobus, who joined in 2016 during a period of uncertainty and has since risen through the ranks thanks to the company’s investment in local talent.
His son, Benjamin, recently returned from a study tour in China, a program funded by CNNC, dreaming of one day following his father into the industry.
Such initiatives, along with investments in education and community development through the Rössing Foundation, cement the mine’s role as a cornerstone of the region’s social fabric.
