Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
August 2026
The Namibian
George Botshiwesaidsector continued to deliver significant economic benefits through taxes, exports, investment and employment
Source
“Speaking at the official opening of the 13th Chamber of Mines Expo and Conference in Windhoek on Wednesday, Botshiwe said the sector continued to deliver significant economic benefits through taxes, exports, investment and employment.”
Chamber of Mines of Namibia president George Botshiwesaid98% of permanent employees were Namibian citizens
Source
“According to Chamber of Mines of Namibia president, George Botshiwe, 98% of permanent employees were Namibian citizens, highlighting the industry's focus on local employment and skills development.”
Botshiwesaidmining spent N$24 billion on locally sourced goods and services during 2025
Source
“Botshiwe said the mining sector continued to support the domestic economy through local procurement, spending approximately N$24 billion on locally sourced goods and services during 2025.”
George Botshiwesaid growth was largely driven bycorporate income tax from B2Gold and Navachab Gold Mine
Source
“"This growth was largely driven by corporate income tax from gold mining operations, B2Gold and Navachab Gold Mine, reflecting both strong production and favourable gold prices," Botshiwe told the annual general meeting.”
George Botshiwe, president of the ChambersaidNamibia's decline signals that investor perceptions of mining policy and regulatory environment have weakened
Source
“"Namibia's decline… signals that investor perceptions of our mining policy and regulatory environment have weakened," said George Botshiwe, president of the Chamber.”
George Botshiwesaid the partnership underscoresthe vital role of public-private partnerships in advancing sustainable development
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“As Navachab Mine, are proud to partner with the Bank of Namibia on this important initiative which underscores the vital role that public-private partnerships play in advancing sustainable development. When industry and institutions work together with clear intent, we are able to move beyond extraction and towards meaningful, long-term value creation," George Botshiwe, Managing Director of QKR Namibia Navachab Gold Mine, added.”
George Botshiwesaid investing in local economies is part ofthe mine's commitment to reinvesting national resources into communities
Source
“Navachab Managing Director George Botshiwe earlier said that investing in local economies, especially where the mine is operating, is part of the mine's commitment to reinvesting national resources back into communities.”
Namibia's mining sector generated more than N$64 billion in mineral sales in 2025, a 25% increase from N$51.3 billion in 2024, with uranium and gold offsetting a 9.4% contraction in overall mining activity and a slump in diamond markets. The Chamber of Mines says the sector's diversification away from traditional diamond dependence reflects its resilience and ongoing contribution to taxes, exports, and employment.
Namibia's mining sector generated more than N$64 billion in mineral sales in 2025, a 25% increase from N$51.3 billion in 2024, with uranium and gold offsetting a 9.4% contraction in overall mining activity and a slump in diamond markets. The Chamber of Mines says the sector's diversification away from traditional diamond dependence reflects its resilience and ongoing contribution to taxes, exports, and employment.
Chamber of Mines member companies employed 20,798 people during 2025, with 98% of permanent employees being Namibian citizens. Since 2013, mining companies invested approximately N$1.95 billion in corporate social investment projects and around N$1.82 billion in skills development and training between 2011 and 2025.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah opened the 13th Chamber of Mines Mining Expo and Conference, themed "From Dialogue to Delivery: Assessing Progress in Creating Mining-Led Economic Growth and Employment Since NamPPF." The President stated that the mining sector remains one of Namibia's leading economic sectors towards Vision 2030.
Namibia's mining sector paid N$7.8 billion in taxes to government in 2025, a 39% increase from N$5.6 billion in 2024, driven largely by corporate income tax from gold mining operations. Royalties rose 9% to N$2.5 billion and export levies increased 90% to N$685 million, while the mining sector's real value added contracted 9.4%.
Namibia's mining competitiveness ranking fell sharply in the 2025 Fraser Institute survey, dropping from 30th to 51st globally and from 4th to 7th in Africa, as investor concerns about policy direction and regulatory clarity intensify. The Chamber of Mines attributes the decline to weakening perceptions of mining policy and governance, citing a proposed 51% local ownership requirement and new legislative changes as compounding investor uncertainty.
The Bank of Namibia has signed a gold purchase agreement with QKR Namibia Navachab to acquire locally produced gold, part of a broader programme to strengthen reserve assets, enhance financial resilience, and support the country's ability to respond to external shocks. The phased gold acquisition programme aligns with international reserve management standards and aims to support macroeconomic stability and national economic interests.
The Bank of Namibia has signed a gold purchase agreement with QKR Namibia Navachab to strengthen the country's financial reserves and implement a structured gold acquisition programme. The agreement aims to improve reserve management, enhance financial resilience, support retention of national resources, and help the economy respond to external shocks.
The N$120 million Karibib Health Centre is under construction with groundwork underway and completion planned for 2028. The facility will be built in phases and handed over to the government as a public health facility, addressing gaps in healthcare services for residents who currently travel to nearby towns for urgent care.
The Chamber of Mines of Namibia has warned that the country's mining investment attractiveness has dropped sharply in the 2025 Fraser Institute survey, falling from 30th to 51st place out of jurisdictions ranked, citing policy uncertainty including proposed 51% local ownership requirements and planned legislation on water, environment and minerals as key concerns. The government has since clarified there is no fixed local ownership requirement, aiming to restore investor confidence.
According to the Fraser Institute's 2025 survey, Namibia's mining investment attractiveness index fell from 66 to 56, dropping its global ranking from 30th to 51st place. Industry leaders and analysts attribute the decline to uncertainty over local ownership requirements, delays in policy implementation, and concerns about new regulatory frameworks.
QKR Navachab Gold Mine has donated mechanical training equipment valued at N$250,000 to the Namibia Institute of Mining and Technology's Arandis Campus. The mine said the donation reflects its commitment to education and technical skills development through its corporate social responsibility programme.