WINDHOEK – Small-scale miners based in the Hardap Region recently received a boost from Geo-Capricorn Mineral Developers, a company co-founded by Sylvanie Beukes and Hugo De Muinda, with co-financing from the Social Security Development fund.
The miners received equipment and training to the value of N$100 000, with the equipment ranging from safety boots, gloves, goggles, generators, drilling equipment, first aid kits, sleeping bags and other small tools. The southern small-scale mining project has been running for the past year and is aimed at empowering small-scale miners in the southern region with the current focus on the Hardap Region. With co-financing from the Social Security Commission’s Development Fund it managed to acquire the equipment and also train the miners in various areas of mining focusing on introduction to mining equipment, gemology, environmental mining, and mining policy.
In Namibia mining remains the bedrock of the economy and is growing and small-scale mining plays a very important role in this growth. However, due to constraints in the operating environment their contribution is limited. “Small mining operations in Namibia are constraint by various factors. These factors are many, but divided into several broad categories such as financing of equipment, adequate skills, farmer-miner conflict, safety training and access to markets. In addition, the onset of winter creates extreme environments for the miners and therefore make it even impossible for them to carry on with their activities,” explained Geo-Capricorn’s Programme Director, Sylvanie Beukes. Beukes added that the project caters for about 25 small-scale miners from the areas of Gibeon, Rehoboth and Mariental.
“The project aims to create over 25 small- scale mining entrepreneurs, who directly influence the livelihoods of over 25 households,” he said. “As Geo-Capricorn we are committed to the development of the small-scale mining sector, as we are confident of the hidden potential to provide jobs and improve the living standards of all that are involved. We further extend our thanks to the Social Security Commission for meeting the continued support that they have shown, especially the team at the development fund that have added value to the initiative through constructive comments,” said Beukes.
By Staff Reporter