Namibia’s mining and quarrying sector contracted by 9.4% in real value added in 2025, a sharper decline compared to the 3.4% drop recorded in 2024.
According to Namibia Statistics Agency Accounts Manager Ngainonekue Uamburu, the downturn reflects mixed performance across subsectors, with declines in diamond and metal ore production outweighing gains in uranium mining.
The diamond subsector was the main driver of the overall contraction, shrinking by 19.4% during the period under review. This marks a steeper decline than the 9.7% contraction recorded in 2024 and is largely attributed to weak global demand.
“On the negative side, the mining sector slumped by 9.4%. We saw declines in metal ores and diamonds, specifically zinc, with some mines ceasing production,” Uamburu said.
The metal ores subsector, which includes gold, zinc and other minerals, declined by 12.2% in real value added, reversing growth of 6.7% recorded in the previous year. The contraction is mainly linked to reduced gold production.
“Moreover, the metal ores subsector, which includes zinc, gold and other metals, registered a decline of 12.2% in real value added, compared to 6.7% growth reported in the previous period. The performance is mainly attributable to a decrease in gold production during the period under review,” he said.
The “other mining and quarrying” subsector also recorded a decline of 14.5%, compared to growth of 5.9% in 2024. The drop is attributed to reduced mineral exploration activity, particularly as investment in oil and gas weakened.
In contrast, the uranium subsector recorded strong growth of 27.0% in real value added, a significant improvement from the 1.8% increase reported in 2024, driven by higher uranium production.
However, the gains in uranium were not sufficient to offset broader declines across the sector, leaving the mining industry under pressure during the period.
