Rössing sponsors local miners for international conference

Namibian small-scale miners have been sponsored with N$50 000 by Rössing Uranium mine to attend a mining conference in Angola.

The group of 20 small-scale miners under the Emerging Mining Association of Namibia will attend the International Mining Conference from 26 to 29 July.

Rössing Uranium’s managing director, Johan Coetzee, says the mine has a long-standing relationship with small-scale miners.

“We are pleased to again make a positive contribution to small-scale miners through this sponsorship for the team to attend the conference.

“It is our wish that the team come back with knowledge they can use in their businesses.

“As a responsible corporate citizen, we recognise the importance of supporting our partners, and that is why we decided to support the delegation to attend the conference and be better equipped to support their members in contributing to the overall success of mining in Namibia,” he says.

The mine recently donated two boreholes to the Ûiba-Ôas co-operative to provide the miners with a reliable supply of water.

Emerging Mining Association of Namibia president Thekla Mutero says the sponsorship will help their members learn more and boost their confidence.

“When I saw the readiness of other countries, I really needed Namibia to see what other small-scale miners are doing.

“I want my country to be exposed and motivated,” she says.

Mutero says obtaining the funds was challenging, and only Rössing Uranium responded.

The group will travel by road and will be assisted by the Angolan government with accommodation and meals, she says.

“There is a need to encourage Namibians on an entrepreneurial level, like others who sponsored their countries’ members.

“In this way Namibia will identify the potential we have. It is the first time that Namibians attend such an international conference,” she says.

Over 50 African countries will attend the conference.

Namibia is one of a few countries that will be represented by so many miners.

The miners were selected from regions where mining activities are carried out.