Namibia’s Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources has recommended that the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism enforce a policy requiring investors to establish dedicated closure plans from the start of production to ensure rehabilitation upon project completion.
A report on illegal lithium mining in Uis, Daures Constituency in the Erongo Region highlights several recommendations, including improved oversight and increased community involvement in mining activities.
The committee’s recommendation follows community concerns that investors fail to rehabilitate mining sites, leaving open pits that have resulted in livestock and wildlife deaths.
“The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism should enforce a policy to ensure that each investor should create a separate account for their closure plan from the first day of production for rehabilitation upon the end of the projects,” the report noted.
Additionally, the committee urged the Daures Constituency Councillor to collaborate with the Ministry of Mines and Energy to establish a database of all mining activities in the region.
“The Constituency Councillor should liaise with the Ministry of Mines and Energy to create a database of all mining activities taking place in the Daures Constituency, be it big or small,” the report recommended.
The committee also emphasized the need for better communication between traditional authorities and stakeholders, as well as increased local community engagement in environmental impact assessments.
“The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism should ensure that Environmental Impact Assessment Officers must engage the Traditional Authorities and other stakeholders when conducting assessments,” the report said.
Concerns were raised regarding the issuance of Exclusive Prospecting Licenses (EPLs) before obtaining consent from traditional authorities.
“The Ministry of Mines and Energy should avoid issuing EPLs to investors before the investors are given consent from the respective Traditional Authorities,” the report recommended.
Regarding labour conditions, the report highlighted the necessity of health insurance for employees working under the joint venture of Xinfeng Investment (Pty) Ltd and Long Fire Investment (Pty) Ltd
“The Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation should ensure that the Joint Venture: Xinfeng Investment (Pty) Ltd and Long Fire Investment (Pty) Ltd should implement health insurance (Medical Aid) and regular check-ups for employees,” the committee stated.
The committee’s findings were based on public hearings conducted from May 8-10, 2023, during which traditional authorities, community members, and representatives from Xinfeng Investment and Long Fire Investment were consulted.
Community concerns included the lack of consultation on mining licenses, the exclusion of small miners, and language barriers between Namibian workers and Chinese engineers.
“Most Chinese engineers employed by the Joint Venture do not speak English, and the communication between the Namibian workers is very limited,” the report noted.
The investigation confirmed that lithium mining operations under EPL 8397 and ML numbers (73409-73418) were legal. However, discrepancies in community engagement and licensing procedures were identified.
“Investors commenced with the exploration and/or mining after obtaining the Exclusive Prospective Licences (EPL) and Mining Licence from the Ministry of Mines and Energy without proper consultations with the Community through the Traditional Authority. Procedurally, EPL certificates are issued on the consent of the Traditional Authority on behalf of the community,” noted the committee.
The motion to investigate lithium mining in the Uis District was moved by Hon. Henny Seibeb on April 5, 2023, received by the Standing Committee on April 12, 2023, and referred to the Sub-Committee on Mining for further review.
The Parliamentary delegation included Hon. Tjekero Tweya (Chairperson), Hon. Kletus Karondo, Hon. Maria Elago, Hon. Bernardus Swartbooi, and Hon. Maria Kamutali.
