A small-scale miner from Orutumba village in the Epupa Constituency is urging the government to help attract investors and provide equipment to ease the challenges of their mining operations.
Shipanga, who has been mining blue sodalite rocks since 2008, shared his journey with NBC News. Blue sodalite, a valuable mineral, is widely used in the production of tiles, necklaces, and rings.
“The start is always difficult. I began with just a spade and a hammer, working alongside four community members. I have served as the foreman, but sometimes I leave them in charge when I travel to Windhoek to renew my licenses. Despite the challenges, we kept pushing,” Shipanga said.
One of the major difficulties he highlighted is the lack of machinery. “The rocks are deep underground, and we have no excavators. We rely on manual labor: one person goes into the pit, hands the rocks to another, and they are passed along until they reach the surface. We don’t even have a truck to transport the rocks. If we could get an excavator and a truck, I believe everything would improve significantly.”
Shipanga also emphasized the need for investment in their operations. “Over the years, we’ve struggled to find buyers for our stones, and sometimes they remain unsold for long periods.”
The miner is hopeful that with government support, including equipment and help in attracting investors, their mining activities can become more efficient and sustainable.
