WALVIS BAY - Landless People’s Movement parliamentarian Henny Seibeb is pushing for government to impose a moratorium on lithium mining to determine the value of the rare earth metal. He is also advocating for the communities where the sought-after mineral is mined to become at least 60% shareholders of such mining activities.

Seibeb tabled a motion on Thursday in the National Assembly following an uproar from the community of Uis in the Erongo Region, who are of the opinion that mining activities have no benefit for them, and instead threaten their livelihoods.

His motion was adopted and referred to a National Assembly select committee by the House.

The committee will be dispatched in due course to the Daures constituency on a fact-finding mission as well as to find common ground between the community of Uis, mining activities and the traditional authority. The community aired their discontent over mining activities there by handing over a petition to mines and energy minister Tom Alweendo during a public meeting last month.

The community is irked, alleging there are no real benefits to them nor has any development taken place, even though the mining takes place on their ancestral land.

Whilst tabling the motion, Seibeb told the Assembly that the global expansion of the lithium sector has led to rapid advancements of various products such as rechargeable batteries, cellphones, digital cameras and electric vehicles, and has boosted the demand for lithium, leading to the rapid growth of the market. 

“While the demand for lithium is growing, poor and marginalised communities in Namibia’s Uis and Omatjete areas are voicing serious concerns about illegal lithium mining. They allege corrupt government officials from the mines and energy ministry, tourism ministry, as well as certain traditional authorities are receiving bribes,” he stated.

The politician said these concerns raised by the Uis community during a meeting on 13 March 2023 show the true extent of such corrupt activities, which need to be investigated as it threatens the livelihoods of the community.

“Chinese businesses like the Xinfeng entity are reportedly involved in the illegal mining, along with some Exclusive Prospecting Licence (EPL) holders and even some political allies of the ruling establishment, including the families of former presidents of Namibia. The local communities claim that some of these dishonest business people coerce and intimidate them, and conduct their mining operations at night, posing a danger to the tourism industry due to the noise of mining explosives and heavy trucks,” Seibeb charged.

He further alleged that the lithium mining industry in Namibia is currently characterised by corruption and predator politics, which he said may lead to rivalry and  summary executions if Namibia is not careful. 

Seibeb said there were already concerns raised that community activists’ lives are being threatened, adding that some are currently living in fear after exposing alleged irregularities.

“We live in a world where everything is possible, including night-time raids and murders. I have a voice note exchange that one of the concerned Uis community members forwarded to me, which is alleged to have been between a certain Asser /Gôagoseb, who is in charge of mineral rights for Long Fire Investments, Xinfeng, and some other dishonest companies, and a person who is looking for a licence to mine lithium. The conversation includes very persuasive offers. This situation is both dangerous and unacceptable,” he continued.

He then proposed that a moratorium be imposed until the allegations and irregularities are dealt with.

Group to meet with Alweendo 

Meanwhile, the Uis Concerned Group as well as environment minister Pohamba Shifeta, Dauredaman chief Zacharias Seibeb,  Daures constituency councillor Kennedy Hoaseb, mining commissioner Isabella Chirchir, environmental commissioner Timoteus Mufeti as well as the chairperson of the Tsiseb conservancy Jesaja Goseb, are scheduled to meet in Windhoek on Thursday with Alweendo.

According to a letter seen by New Era, the meeting will focus on the allegations and concerns raised by the community during their recent meeting in Uis.

“Reference is made to the petition received on 13 March 2023, and the remarks made at the recent public meeting on the illegal mining activities in the Daures constituency. As you are aware, the Daures Constituency is home to various mining activities, with many executed by small-scale miners. Recently, we have noted with concern various issues raised in your petition regarding potential illegal mining operations, and the communities’ dissatisfaction with how minerals licensing is done without consultation. To have a better appreciation of the issues, I hereby invite you and fellow petitioners for a meeting at the ministry to discuss and hopefully resolve issues that need resolving,” the invitation from Alweendo reads.

Potential revenue

Namibia’s lithium revenues could exceed all other commodities combined, and could therefore improve the country’s Trade and Current Account balances as well as GDP growth rates. This is according to a Lithium Report compiled by local stock brokerage Simonis Storm (SS), and released last week. 

“Given our estimates, the local lithium sector’s revenue to government would be the largest, compared to all other commodity mining operations in Namibia,” the report states.  

SS, however, cautions about a long-term view on lithium, given a threat of new entrants to the battery and Electric Vehicle (EV) market. 

“It can well be that lithium is not the preferred mineral for battery, renewable energy equipment and electronic consumer goods’ production in the long run,” Simonis Storm warned. 

The report noted that restarting lithium production in Namibia after 1998 can be a good development for the local mining industry and the country’s economy. SS pointed out that given the capital-intensive nature of general mining, it is not expecting lithium to contribute to major boosts to socio-economic indicators such as employment, but does view the renewed interest in Namibian lithium mining as a positive for export earnings and government revenue. 

The local stock brokerage estimates the value of the local lithium industry at as high as US$770 million (6.7% of GDP) to US$364 million (3.2% of GDP), with total taxes paid to government at US$240.1 million, and royalties of US$34.3 million in the extreme case. - edeklerk@nepc.com.na