Mining chamber to celebrate five decades of carrying the sector’s interests
In about a month’s time, the Chamber of Mines of Namibia will celebrate its half-century, coinciding with the 8th Mining and Expo conference in Windhoek.
The chamber announced this week that the conference is scheduled for 08 and 09 May 2019 at the Windhoek show grounds. The chamber’s annual general meeting is scheduled a day earlier, on 07 May.
The chamber’s Chief Executive, Veston Malango, said “From its modest beginnings on 9 May 1969, the chamber has endeavoured to serve the mining industry with excellence. Started as the Association of Mining Companies in South West Africa, the chamber and its members have made an immense contribution to the Namibian economy over the past five decades. The industry fully supported the young republic after Independence in 1990 and remains dedicated to promoting Namibia as a prime mining destination in Africa.”
Commenting on the relationship with the government, Malango said “We have always striven to reconcile the interests of mines, workers and the economy at large through an open dialogue with our Namibian leaders. This has earned the chamber recognition in Africa. It is often asked for advice by its counterparts from other African countries when tensions mount between governments and mining companies.”
Its sound reputation as an honest broker between mining interest groups, has contributed in no small measure to the chamber’s standing and success. “We have demonstrated that we are not just fair weather friends. The industry continues to contribute to Namibia’s socio-economic growth even in challenging times while the Chamber of Mines plays an active role in shaping a healthy regulatory and policy environment, and through its committees, serves as a strong peer review mechanism on issues of health and safety, environment, human resources and sustainability. This testifies to the strong leadership in both the industry and the government and creates confidence that we can tackle complex issues that will culminate in win-win solutions for the Namibian nation, the government and the sector,” he said.
On the sector’s recent performance, Malango pointed out that according to the data in the preliminary National Accounts, mining recorded a 22% growth, making it the best-performing sector overall in the economy. These gains were largely based on production increases in diamonds and uranium.
