The parliamentary standing committee on natural resources has criticised some mining companies operating in Namibia for failing to have sustainable plans to rehabilitate sites they are operate in case of closure.
The committee in a report recommends a stronger enforcement of environmental and labour regulations in mining and energy sectors.
A delegation of Tjekero Tweya, Kletus Karondo, Maria Elago, Diederik Vries, Maria Kamutali and Kennedy Shekupakela, as part of the subcommittee responsible for mines and energy, conducted oversight visits to mining companies in the Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa and Erongo regions.
They want to see improved government participation, accelerated renewable energy implementation, and greater corporate responsibility in community development.
“The visit covered various regions, including Otjozondjupa and Oshikoto, focusing on key industry players such as mining companies, energy producers, and natural resource processors,” a report states.
The visit was aimed at evaluating compliance, sustainability and socio-economic impacts within Namibia’s mining, energy and natural resource sectors.
This comes after concerns grew about the environmental and social implications of these industries, revealing significant gaps that need immediate attention.
The report mentions that “four subcommittees responsible for overseeing the ministries of environment, fisheries and marine resources, mines and energy, and agriculture, water and land reform be established”.
The delegation engaged with regional councillors from the two regions, the Namibia Power Corporation, Central North Regional Electricity Distributor, staff from the electrification department in the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Dundee Precious Metals Tsumeb, B2Gold, Whale Rock Cement and Okanjande Graphite.
The report praises the mines and energy sector’s efforts to electrify Oshikoto region schools, but notes that some schools are still without power.
Frequent power outages during the rainy season are reported in certain areas.
The report also suggests that high electricity rates make it difficult for local residents to afford continued use.
Furthermore, progress in renewable energy is slow, with a solar plant at Onyaanya-Okatope not yet operational and Dundee Precious Metals constructing a solar plant at Oniipa.
The rural electrification programme aims to improve living standards, increase economic activities, and enhance health and educational facilities.
“Since independence, 2 230 public institutions and over 51 268 homesteads have been electrified.
“The programme has been allocated an annual budget of N$69 million since 2020.”
The report also found that: “The implementation of renewable energy is progressing slowly, particularly in the Oshikoto region.”
“Sand miners in the Oshikoto region do not rehabilitate the extraction sites.”
Furthermore, mining and energy companies in the Otjozondjupa region responded positively to the central government but did not prioritise local community development.
Rural electrification projects funded by the Ministry of Mines and Energy were satisfactorily completed.
“Charcoal production is increasing in the Otjozondjupa region, yet many producers remain unregistered.”
Whale Rock Cement did not have a rehabilitation plan in place.
“Symphonie Stone Processing Company demonstrated adaptability in its operations, emphasising employment creation and adding value to local resources.”
The report also mentions that employees at Symphonie Stone Processing Company manually handled heavy objects, yet there was no medical aid benefit provided.
The Namibian government does not hold any ownership in the mining company that was visited.
Many challenges have been experienced such as vandalism and theft of copper wires in the regions.
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