Swakop Uranium spends N$4.4 billion on local market

Swakop Uranium spends N$4.4 billion on local market

CHAMWE KAIRA Swakop Uranium has year to date spent over N$4.4 billion on the procurement of consumables and services directly from the Namibian market. Year to Date refers to the period from the beginning of the current year to a specified date before the year’s end. The company said it has been proactively developing the SME sector in the Erongo region. “It currently serves as the single most important partner to old and emerging SMEs in the region,” the company said. In 2022, the company injected over N$3.2 billion dollars into the local economy through local procurement, tax and royalties,…
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New reactors good news for uranium industry

New reactors good news for uranium industry

CHAMWE KAIRA The construction of new nuclear reactors across the world spells good news for the Namibian nuclear industry. In 2022 Kazakhstan produced the largest share of uranium from mines (43 percent of world supply), followed by Canada (15 percent) and Namibia (11 percent). “Construction is underway on a total of 59 reactors worldwide. In Indonesia, Norway, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka, plans are currently being considered to introduce nuclear power plants, including both conventional and Small modular reactors (SMRs) into their national energy mixes,” said Brandon Munro, Chief Executive Officer of Bannerman Energy. The Australian listed uranium development company,…
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African exports reached N$4.9 billion in June

African exports reached N$4.9 billion in June

Namibia exported goods worth N$4.9 billion to African markets in June. At the same time, the country sourced goods from the rest of Africa worth N$4.9 billion, the Namibia Statistic Agency said. In terms of regional composition, the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) emerged as the largest export market during the month of June, contributing 38.8 percent to total exports. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) ranked second with a market share of 23.7 percent while the European Union and the South African Development Community excluding SACU accounted for 20.7 percent and 17 percent, respectively. Common Market for…
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Lab diamonds biggest threat to industry

Lab diamonds biggest threat to industry

CHAMWE KAIRA Lab diamonds are the biggest threat facing the Namibian diamond industry, Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia)’s Lelly Usiku, Executive: Market Development, Sales and Brand has disclosed. Usiku said lab diamonds or synthetic diamonds cost about 60 to 80 less than natural diamonds like the ones produced by Namibia. She noted that synthetic diamonds are growing in popularity in China, which is the biggest retail market in the world after the United States. The other factors threatening the industry are the Russia-Ukraine Crisis, which is affecting the production at Russian producer, Alrosa. The other factors threatening the stability of the…
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CRAN 2022 Revenue Drops by 51.6%

CRAN 2022 Revenue Drops by 51.6%

Staff Writer The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) recorded a total revenue of N$36.3 million which was N$38.7 million (51.6 percent) shy of the N$ 75 million target. According to Cran’s 2022 annual report, this variance is a result of the timing delays associated with the date when the revised regulatory levy regulations came into effect and the additional amount of time, after the licensee’s financial year end date, that Licensees are allowed to file their audited financial statements with the Authority. Cran used audited financial statements of licensees to determine the revenue base on which to calculate regulatory…
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Hartlief and NAFAU advances with substantive agreement

Hartlief and NAFAU advances with substantive agreement

Staff Writer Hartief, a subsidiary of the Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group, inked a substantive agreement with the Namibian Food and Allied Workers Union (NAFAU) which includes a 5.2 percent rise in basic pay. The substantive agreement is valid from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024 and will apply to all Hartlief Continental Meat Products Bargaining Unit employees. Apart from the 5.2 percent rise in basic pay, the parties agreed to an increases in housing and transportation allowances for all Bargaining Unit employees. Speaking att the deal's signing, Hartlief Managing Director (MD), Gunther Ling, expressed gratitude to all parties…
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NASRIA declares N$10m dividend

NASRIA declares N$10m dividend

Martin Endjala Namibia Special Risk Insurance Association Limited (NASRIA) has declared a dividend of N$ 10 million to government for the fiscal year 2023. NASRIA board chairperson, Adrianus Vugs made the announcement on Wednesday during a dividend handover ceremony. He stated that, despite the country’s economic headwinds, the recent dividend payment demonstrates NASRIA’s resilience and ability to respond to shifting dynamics in the financial services sector and the fiscus at large. In addition, the Insurance Company declared dividends of N$ 6.8 million in 2020, N$ 10 million in 2021, and N$ 7.7 million in 2022. NASRIA is Namibia’s only special…
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Eating dog meat poses public health risk: SPCA

Eating dog meat poses public health risk: SPCA

Martin Endjala The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has warned that eating dog meat can result in the spread of zoonotic diseases such as trichinellosis (intestinal parasites larvae that sit in the muscles of the dogs), cholera, and rabies to humans. According to a media statement published by SPCA Director of Operations, Sylvia Breitenstein on Wednesday, dogs are one of the only species fed by people who are omnivores, meaning they eat other animals, animal carcasses, humans, and excrement. This distinguishes dogs from other land animals such as widely consumed livestock. Breitenstein was responding to recent…
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Japan considering Namibia for rare earth mineral deal

Japan considering Namibia for rare earth mineral deal

Niël Terblanché The Japanese government plans to enter into an agreement with state-owned entity, Epangelo Mining Company to strengthen the supply chain for rare earth and other key minerals. Namibia is one of three African countries selected by the Japanese government as potential suppliers of lithium and other rare earth minerals used in the production of high-capacity batteries. Aside from Namibia, Japan intends to extend cooperative exploration for rare earth minerals with state-owned mining businesses in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As Namibia is rich in zinc, copper, and other resources, the supply chain remains underdeveloped, despite…
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Home Affairs Ministry to pay retired NDF General over N$ 219 000

Home Affairs Ministry to pay retired NDF General over N$ 219 000

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Retired Namibian Defence Forces (NDF) member, Major General, Thomas Ngilifavali Hamunyela has won his unlawful arrest and detention court case against the Namibian Police. The case was presided over by High Court Judge, Esi Schimming-Chase, who decided in favour of Hamunyela and ordered the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security to pay N$ 219 630 in compensation. The court’s decision dismissed any justifiable explanations for Hamunyela’s wrongful incarceration, emphasising that his arrest was not lawful, reasonable, or essential. The police were held liable by the court for their behaviour. Schimming-Chase directed that N$50 000 be paid…
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