Justicia Shipena
Mining Commissioner Isabella Chirchir says the formulation of the Minerals Bill is at an advanced stage.
Chirchir revealed this on Wednesday during the invest in Namibia session at the Africa Mining Indaba 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa.
“We do have a Minerals Bill in place, which is at an advanced stage, and it will modernise processes without disturbing existing rights,” she said.
Six months ago, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah called for swift action to finalise the bill, modernise the sector and sustain growth.
The proposed law adjusts application costs and relaxes exclusivity provisions for reconnaissance and exploration licences.
It allows small-scale mining on certain claims through mineral agreements and raises the royalty cap for non-diamond minerals from 5% to 10%, in line with the rate for diamonds.
The bill requires at least 5% Namibian ownership in mining companies. It also requires a portion of production to remain in the country for local value addition. Mine closure financing and rehabilitation responsibilities are introduced.
Ministry employees will be barred from acquiring mining rights for 12 months after leaving office.
The bill also introduces a small-scale mining permit and a mineral dealer’s licence for buying, selling and exporting Namibian minerals.
It clarifies which levies, charges and fees may be deducted from royalty payments.
Many of its provisions will be shaped by the forthcoming National Equitable Economic Empowerment Framework, which is still incomplete.
Chirchir said mining remains a key pillar of the economy and contributed about 13.3% in 2024.
“We have a stable, well-established regulatory framework governing mining and providing certainty for investors,” she said.
“We do have a transparent and necessary process where each and every mining licence or exploration licence that is given needs to have technical and financial capability or capacity,” Chirchir added.
At the same event, the deputy minister of industries, mines, and energy, Gaudentia Kröhne, called on development partners to help Namibia build a framework for artisanal and small-scale mining.
“We call upon development partners to work with Namibia in building a comprehensive artisanal and small-scale mining framework that supports formalisation, access to finance, skills development, environmental responsibility, and market access,” she said.
Kröhne says mining supports growth, jobs and exports. She said Namibia offers policy certainty.
“Investors value predictability — and Namibia delivers it,” she said.
Namibia’s high commissioner to South Africa, Nangula Frieda Ithete, told delegates that the country is positioning itself as a reliable investment destination anchored on value addition.
She said Namibia is engaging at a time when global supply chains are shifting.
“We recognise that Africa cannot remain a net exporter of raw materials while importing finished products at a premium. The future lies in building integrated mineral value chains, linked to manufacturing, logistics, energy and skill development,” she said.
Ithete urged investors to partner with Namibia.
“As we engage at this Mining Indaba, Namibia invites investors, technology providers, and development partners to walk this journey with us from exploration to beneficiation, from extraction to industrialisation and from opportunity to shared prosperity,” she said.
