Author: Maihapa Ndjavera (Maihapa Ndjavera )

Government Institutions Pension Fund CEO David Nuyoma said there is a special need to be on guard to thwart any attempts by those who are tempted to satisfy their greed by dipping their hands in the cookie jar. 

For the month of July 2022, Namibia recorded a trade deficit to the tune of N$4.3 billion, reflecting a worsened trade deficit when compared to N$2.5 billion recorded in June 2022, and N$3.6 billion recorded in July 2021.

Standard Bank Namibia has shaken off the adverse impact of Covid-19 in its half-year results after the bank recorded an increase in profit after tax of 24.1% for period on period to N$235.3 million. This is according to the bank’s interim results announcement for the first six months ended 30 June 2022, released this week.

The continued growth of informal settlements remains one of Namibia’s biggest developmental challenges. In this vein, FirstRand Namibia yesterday presented an investment of N$5 million for the country’s land and housing programme, through the Development Workshop of Namibia.

Despite the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on mining operations, Swakop Uranium managed to record its highest production ever. As a result of increased production, the company contributed N$3.2 billion to Namibia’s economy in 2021. 

The ninth edition of the Namibian Mining Expo and Conference concludes today. The two-day conference started yesterday under the theme ‘Breaking New Frontiers in a Post-Pandemic Era’. This was the first mining expo and conference in two years, after the Chamber of Mines cancelled it consecutively due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In an emotional and tense meeting on Tuesday, words such as “leave our resources alone and go explore in your own countries” came out loudly from disturbed community members who are concerned with uranium exploration activities in Omaheke region.

A Russian company, Uranium One, exploring for uranium in the Omaheke region, continues to ruffle the feathers of local farmers. The company is expected to use the in-situ leaching (ISL) method to extract uranium.

The Langer Heinrich Uranium mine, which is still under care and maintenance and belongs to Paladin Energy Ltd in the Erongo region, is expected to resume production by March 2024. 

Water remains an important input for the mining industry hence government’s commitment through NamWater to ensure sufficient and timely delivery of water for this important sectoral contributor to Namibia’s gross domestic product.