Erongo regional leaders have called for Namibia’s growing critical minerals sector to deliver greater benefits to local communities through job creation, skills development, local procurement and value addition.
Speaking at the Critical Minerals: Strengthening Public Engagement conference in Swakopmund, Erongo Regional Council Chairperson Lazarus Kanelombe said the development of the country’s critical mineral resources should translate into tangible economic opportunities for Namibians.
Delivering remarks on behalf of Erongo Governor Nathalia /Goagoses, Kanelombe said communities are increasingly assessing mining projects based on the jobs, business opportunities and longer-term economic benefits they create.
“When a new mine or mineral project is proposed, communities naturally want to know what it will mean for them. Will it create jobs? Will young Namibians receive the skills needed to take up those jobs? Will local businesses have meaningful opportunities to supply the industry?” he said.
Namibia is seeking to position itself as a supplier of minerals used in renewable energy technologies, battery storage systems and electric vehicles as global demand for critical minerals grows.
Kanelombe said the country should, however, look beyond attracting investment and exporting raw minerals by developing opportunities for domestic processing and value addition.
“The ambition must be to move progressively beyond simply extracting resources and exporting them. Where economically feasible, Namibia should seek opportunities for processing, value addition and the development of industries connected to our mineral resources,” he said.
He also called for increased investment in skills development to enable Namibians to take up specialised and managerial positions in the mining industry.
“We must invest in skills so that Namibians are not confined to the lowest levels of employment while specialised and managerial positions remain beyond their reach,” Kanelombe said.
The conference, organised by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) and its Eco Dialogue Collective partners, focused on how Namibia can maximise economic and social benefits from critical minerals development while addressing environmental, social and governance considerations.
