Swakop Uranium recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Namibian Institute of Mining and Technology (NIMT).
The funding agreement was signed in Swakopmund.
This MoU is expected to ensure the mine will have enough skilled employees, as well as contribute to the country’s socio-economic development.
Swakop Uranium at the same occasion handed over N$200,000 to enable NIMT to buy training equipment for current and future training of Namibians.
According to Swakop Uranium Vice-President for Human Resources and Business Support, Percy McCallum, “the mine is committed to the attainment of Vision 2030 and NDP4, specifically the development of skills for the mining industry and the country and to create a better future for all stakeholders.”
“Swakop Uranium with the construction of the Husab mine, which will be the second biggest uranium mine in the world, will employ up to 5,000 employees through contractors. Once the mine is operational Swakop Uranium itself will employ about 1,200 permanent employees and this means a massive economic injection for Erongo Region,” he informed the funding ceremony.
According to McCallum, NIMT has consistently yielded good results and supplies various industries, especially the mining sector, with skilled and highly sought after artisans. “We commend Ekchart Mueller and his team for maintaining a culture of excellence and quality of artisans,” he said.
Also speaking at the occasion, Mueller said the partnership would allow the parties to cooperate and support each other towards educating and developing thousands of young Namibians, which in the long run would benefit the country.
He thanked the mine for supporting NIMT and said that by doing so they were providing job opportunities to thousands of Namibian citizens and job-attachment positions to a large number of Namibian trainees.
According to Mueller the donation would be spread among the three campuses, namely, NMIT Engineering Trades (NET) in Arandis, NIMT Northern Campus (NNC) in Tsumeb and NIMT Southern Campus (NSC) in Keetmanshoop, and specifically on tools and equipment for the campuses.
The mayor of Arandis, Daniel Muhuura, who witnessed the handing over said he supported tri-partite relations, and emphasized the council’s commitment to ensuring a conducive environment for various industries to thrive.
He highlighted the council’s ongoing efforts to attract and retain investors and residents to the town.