Namibia Emphasizes Essential Raw Materials and Local Value Addition at Invest in Africa Mining Indaba 2024

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Namibia is set to participate in the Investing in Africa Mining Indaba 2024, scheduled from 05 to 08 February 2024 in Cape Town, where it will spotlight the abundant investment opportunities within its mining sector to a global audience of industry leaders.

Renowned for its rich mineral reserves including diamonds, gold, copper, zinc, uranium, rare earth metals, salt, and industrial minerals crucial for renewable energy, Namibia emerges as a compelling investment destination in the mining landscape.

The local mining sector, a key contributor to the economy, accounted for approximately 12.2% of Namibia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2022. When factoring in minerals processing and beneficiation, this contribution escalates to 14.3%.

Marking 30 years of active participation in the African Mining Indaba, Namibia adopts the theme “Namibia: Taking the Bold Steps to Sustainable Mining: Shaping a Green Tomorrow” to underscore its commitment to sustainable mining practices and environmental stewardship while promoting investment opportunities within the sector and its ancillary industries.

A highlight of Namibia’s presence at the Indaba includes a series of Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Government (B2G) engagements, alongside a country showcase panel discussion slated for Wednesday, 07 February 2024. This panel, themed “Critical Raw Materials Development and Local Value Addition in the Namibian Context,” aims to provide valuable insights into Namibia’s strategies for national mining and processing of critical raw materials.

Featuring presentations by esteemed entities such as the Geological Survey of Namibia, NamPower, the Chamber of Mines, and the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board, the event promises to offer comprehensive perspectives on Namibia’s mining landscape and its future trajectory.

Leading the Namibian delegation at the Indaba is Ms. Gloria Simubali, Deputy Executive Director at the Ministry of Mines and Energy, representing Hon. Tom Alweendo, Minister of Mines and Energy. The delegation comprises government officials, representatives from the Namibian Chamber of Mines, mining houses, and other private sector stakeholders.

Minister Alweendo underscores the significance of promoting Namibia’s commitment to value addition in minerals for sustained economic growth, emphasizing the imperative of embracing sustainable mining practices to meet the heightened global demand for critical minerals.

He asserts, “To achieve a green tomorrow, we need to strengthen our commitment to sustainable mining practices, given the heightened global demand for critical minerals. The Mining Indaba will, therefore, allow Namibia to showcase its potential and meet with other mining countries to take stock of the best regional and global practices.”