Deputy Minister hands over mining equiptment to ERSMA
29 Sep 2015

Andreas Simon:

 

The Deputy Minister of Mines and Energy, Honourable Kornelia Shilunga, yesterday officially handed over mining equipment to (ERSMA) Erongo Region Small Miners Association, at the Erongo Regional Office in Karibib.

The event was well attended as the Deputy Minister was joined by Honourable U. P Xoagub, Councilor of Karibib constituency, Mr. Arnold Kumundu, Administrator of Erongo Region Small Miners Association and Ms. Rejoyce Tauros, a representative of (SMU) Small Miners of Uis.

Honourable Shilunga, during her key note address said that the Ministry is committed to ensure that a vibrant and sustainable small scale mining sector is in place.

She emphasised that the Ministry's doors will always be open to the small scale miners for any technical assistance.

The Ministry provide the small scale miners with services such as analysing samples, pegging of mining claims, obtaining Global Positioning Systems (GPS) coordinates for claims and acquiring mineral rights.

The small scale mining sector is one which is growing by the year. the sector have potential to contribute immensely to the economy if regulated properly. There is a need to create a single market for Namibia's gem stones to international markets, which can be a tool to eradicating poverty.

Mr. Kumundu mentioned that small scale mining in the Erongo region is form of self employment as it also assists government to draw a large scale of young Namibians from the streets.

The Ministry of Mines and Energy, together with stakeholders in government are working hard to assist small scale mining across the country. Currently, Mines and Energy together with the Ministry of Industrialisation, Trade and SME Development are working towards establishing a gemstone evaluation hub in Karibib where Miners can have their minerals evaluated. The two government institutions are also working towards the establishment of a cutting and polishing plant for dimension stones also to be housed in Karibib.

With all these developments on the way. Small scale miners across the country are urged to organise themselves into legal entities like associations or cooperatives. In order smoothen any form of support from government and NGO's.