Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources Raises Concern Over Lack of Awareness Among Small-Scale Miners
The Parliamentary standing Committee on Natural Resources has raised concerns over the lack of awareness among small-scale miners about the legal requirements governing mining activities in Namibia.
The concern was raised by Member of the National Assembly and committee member Hon. Ester Haikola-Sakaria following an engagement with community members in Omihana village.
Haikola-Sakaria said the committee’s engagement revealed that some community members were unaware that certain mining activities they had been undertaking were not permitted under the country’s mining laws.
According to her, the situation points to a serious information gap between government institutions responsible for regulating the mining sector and people involved in small-scale mining activities.
“During this engagement, we found out that our people are not aware that what they have been doing is illegal. It is a lack of awareness,” Haikola-Sakaria said.
She said the Ministry responsible for mines has a division dealing with small-scale miners, but questioned whether the division is doing enough to reach communities in rural areas and provide them with information on the legal processes governing mining.
Haikola-Sakaria said small-scale miners should be assisted with basic information, including how to apply for an Exclusive Prospecting Licence (EPL) and other required legal documentation before engaging in mining-related activities.
She argued that greater awareness at community level could prevent people from unknowingly violating mining regulations and could also help small-scale miners operate within the law.
The committee has therefore called on the Ministry of Mines and Energy to take the matter seriously and strengthen its outreach programmes, particularly in rural communities where small-scale mining activities are taking place.
The concerns are consistent with Haikola-Sakaria’s broader call for the decentralisation of mining-related services. She previously argued that the lack of decentralised functions within the ministry has left small-scale miners without accessible platforms to raise their concerns and obtain assistance.
The committee’s engagement in Omihana highlights the importance of bringing government services closer to communities and ensuring that people understand the laws and procedures governing the activities from which they seek to earn a livelihood.
For Haikola-Sakaria, the issue is not simply about enforcing the law, but also about ensuring that communities receive adequate information and support to comply with the law.
The committee has consequently urged the Ministry to consider the concerns raised during the engagement and improve its communication, awareness and support mechanisms for small-scale miners.
