Why Mining Über Alles?

From Kavango to Kunene, down south across the breadth and width of Namibia, the scramble for the country’s mineral, oil and energy sources is in overdrive.

Lithium, petroleum, uranium, gas and green hydrogen have propelled Namibia to the equivalent of the mythical El Dorado.

The modus operandi has changed since olden day European expeditions that explored, ‘discovered’ and annexed territories with little regard for the original inhabitants. But, all the same, the insatiable desire for more and more riches continues in modern-day explorations.

Don’t get us wrong. This is not a matter of being against mining. It is about why Namibian authorities seem willing to go to great lengths to grant mining licences – often at the expense of original inhabitants and the general conservation of fauna and flora.

The current impasse in the Kunene region between two conservancies, a traditional authority and a tourism company on one side against individuals undertaking mining activities backed by the government is but the latest example of hunters of quick riches being favoured over the sustainability of rural communities and the environment.

Environment commissioner Timoteus Mufeti last week strengthened the hands of miners Ottilie Ndimulunde and namesake Timoteus Mashuna by rubber-stamping their road construction plans in an area proven to be a beacon of successfully helping the rare black rhino breed.

Namibia is the last bastion of the black rhino, which is extinct in most parts of the world. Overall, the rhino is an endangered species that attracts poachers to indulge in scientifically unproven beliefs that the horn possesses aphrodisiac qualities.

Mufeti succeeded in adding insult to injury by deciding that heavy mining activities will not contribute to further endangering the black rhino.

The Doro !Nawas and Ûibasen Twyfelfontein conservancies, together with the ≠Aodaman Traditional Authority and the tourism company Ultimate Safaris, have raised objections against mining in an area that has, for decades, succeeded in making the area between Khorixas and Uis the safest habitat for the threatened black rhinoceros.

Apparently conservation, as well as the proven mass job creation potential of tourism, have not convinced government officials as a better alternative to the short-term, get-rich quick schemes of many of the mining enterprises.

Besides, over the past few decades tourism in communal conservancies has helped sustain communities and the environment. On the other hand, several mining activities have barged in with huge promises of employment only to often fail to deliver because mining is generally capital and high skills-intensive – and short-term.

Local inhabitants are often sidelined as mining licences are taken up by those connected to the official signing of the exploration concessions.

Government officials have turned Namibia into an unsustainable El Dorado with a vicious cycle of short-term searches for riches dishing out mining exploration licences to a select few. That cycle needs to stop.