Namibia’s Kunene Region has recorded 2,438 mining rights, highlighting a sharp rise in exploration activity as investors target one of Namibia’s least explored but most prospective mineral provinces, Governor Vipuakuje Muharukua has said.
According to Muharukua, the region had 1,827 mining claims as of 24 June 2026, comprising 486 granted claims and 1,341 applications, alongside 611 Exclusive Prospecting Licences (EPLs), seven granted mining licences and several additional applications under review.
He said the growing number of mineral rights demonstrates increasing confidence in Kunene’s mineral endowment, which includes base metals, rare metals, precious metals, industrial minerals, dimension stone, gemstones and critical minerals.
“The facts are clear. Kunene is underexplored, geologically diverse, community-linked and full of high-upside mineral potential. Its mineral landscape includes base metals, rare metals, precious metals, industrial minerals, dimension stone, gemstones and critical minerals,” Muharukua said.
The governor said exploration momentum has continued to build, with 608 mineral rights processed between April 2025 and March 2026, consisting of 406 mining claims and 202 Exclusive Prospecting Licences.
Activity has remained strong during the current financial year. Between 1 April and 24 June 2026, authorities recorded 318 mineral rights under application or granted, including 194 mining claims and 124 Exclusive Prospecting Licences.
Muharukua said the increased licensing activity generated N$5.55 million in revenue during the 2025/26 financial year through application fees, annual fees and penalties linked to mining claims, EPLs and mining licences.
“This revenue consists of application fees, annual fees and penalties and confirms that mining is already contributing to public revenue even before the region’s full mineral potential is developed,” he said.
He added that Kunene now ranks second nationally in the number of mineral rights granted and applications received, reflecting sustained interest from both investors and small-scale miners.
However, Muharukua stressed that the rise in applications must lead to tangible economic outcomes.
“Our responsibility is to ensure that this interest does not remain only on paper, but translates into responsible exploration, legal mining, local empowerment, mineral beneficiation, community benefits, infrastructure development and long-term regional growth,” he said.
He said small-scale mining has the potential to become a major source of rural employment and entrepreneurship but remains constrained by limited access to finance, inadequate technical capacity and illegal mining.
Muharukua called for stronger collaboration between government, the Ministry of Mines and Energy, environmental authorities, traditional leaders, investors and small-scale miners to ensure the region’s growing exploration activity delivers lasting economic benefits.
