Opportunities in Namibia's mining sector
Dear Readers,
We’re paying close attention to mining in Namibia—which is experiencing increased exploration, especially for strategic minerals and rare earth elements. Namibia has vast mineral deposits and an established mining industry. Resources include diamond, uranium, copper, iron ore, gold, manganese, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, cobalt, zinc, rare earth elements, and vanadium.
International companies—including from Canada, Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom, Russia, and China—operate in Namibia. They engage in activities ranging from exploration to production across Namibia’s mineral resources. Diamonds and uranium account for most companies’ activity and associated State revenue.
There is growing excitement over the discovery and development of lithium, cobalt, and rare earth element deposits. Namibia has taken steps to enhance its national beneficiation, including banning the export of unprocessed critical minerals. This focus on national beneficiation is a key mining trend in southern Africa and needs to be followed closely.
Several government entities and organizations manage and oversee the mining sector. These include the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the Directorate of Mines, the Directorate of Diamond Affairs, and the Geological Survey of Namibia. The Chamber of Mines of Namibia is a member-based organization that advocates for mining policies for the mining companies operating in the country.
Namibia’s legal framework has laws covering the mining sector, including financing, environmental restrictions, and export levies. Local content does not yet appear to be a significant focus for the mining sector, in contrast with the energy sector.
We recognize that while Namibia has a sound investment and mining environment, it has experienced scandals in the past few years. International mining companies have had to take the Namibian government to court over license granting. There have also been instances of alleged bribery payments.
The bottom line is that there’s lots of opportunity in Namibia’s mining sector. Namibia also enjoys political and security stability—making it a far better and lower-risk opportunity than many destinations in West Africa.
If you want to learn more, please reach out. We’d love to continue the conversation.
14 North helps businesses and organizations succeed in Sub-Saharan Africa's emerging and frontier marketspaces by delivering insights that increase opportunity and minimize risk. To learn more, please get in touch with us at info@14nstrategies.com or www.14nstrategies.com.