Namibia’s mining production index contracted by 16.9% month-on-month in September 2026, driven by sharp declines in zinc, diamond, gold bullion and uranium output, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA).
The decline followed a 4.4% contraction in August, while the mining production composite index fell by 6.5% year-on-year, compared with a 0.3% annual decline recorded in September 2025.
The NSA attributed the September contraction primarily to reduced zinc concentrate and contained zinc production, which recorded the largest monthly decline among the major mineral commodities.
The zinc production index fell by 35.4% in September, reversing a 26.8% increase in August.
“Zinc production recorded the steepest monthly decline, with the zinc concentrate and contained zinc production index falling by 35.4% in September, reversing the 26.8% increase recorded in August,” the NSA said.
Zinc concentrate and contained zinc production declined to 4,633 tonnes from 7,176 tonnes in August, representing a reduction of 2,543 tonnes.
Output was also below the 4,714 tonnes produced in September 2025, with the zinc production index declining by 1.7% year-on-year.
Diamond production recorded the second-largest monthly contraction, with its production index falling by 21.4% following a 12.1% decline in August.
Diamond output dropped to 131,377 carats in September from 167,214 carats in August, a reduction of 35,837 carats.
However, diamond production remained 3.2% higher than the 127,254 carats recorded in September 2025.
“Diamond output stood at 131,377 carats in September, compared with 167,214 carats in August. However, production remained 3.2% higher year-on-year, increasing from 127,254 carats recorded in September 2025,” the NSA said.
Gold bullion production also declined, with the production index contracting by 12.2% month-on-month after recording a 3.6% increase in August.
Gold output fell to 507 kilogrammes in September from 578 kilogrammes in August, representing a reduction of 71 kilogrammes.
On an annual basis, gold production declined by 35.7% from the 788 kilogrammes recorded in September 2025.
The annual contraction was significantly steeper than the 12.2% decline recorded in the corresponding month of the previous year.
Meanwhile, uranium production declined by 7.4% month-on-month, reversing an 8.1% increase in August.
Uranium output fell to 879 tonnes in September from 949 tonnes in August, a reduction of 70 tonnes.
Despite the monthly decline, uranium production remained marginally above the 877 tonnes recorded in September 2025, representing annual growth of 0.2%.
The annual increase was substantially below the 22% growth recorded in September 2025.
The September figures show that zinc and diamond production recorded the sharpest monthly contractions, while gold registered the largest year-on-year decline among the four mineral commodities.
The overall mining production index recorded its second consecutive monthly contraction, reflecting continued pressure on output across Namibia’s major mineral-producing industries.
