ARANDIS – President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has strongly called for Namibia’s natural resources, especially uranium, to deliver permanent benefits to the country’s economy and its people, even after the minerals run dry.
The president was speaking during an extensive tour of Rössing Uranium Mine near Arandis in the Erongo region on Saturday, where she warned that Namibia cannot afford to continue exporting raw resources without securing long-term gains such as industrialisation, energy development and human capital upliftment.
Nandi-Ndaitwah paid a working visit to the uranium mine, where she spent six hours touring the mining and processing facilities.
The visit, her first to the mine since assuming office, was aimed at gaining deeper insight into uranium mining operations and exploring how the sector can further support Namibia’s development goals.
During her visit, she engaged the mine’s leadership, asking critical questions and raising concerns about the long-term sustainability and safety of uranium extraction.
She first interacted with Rössing’s managing director, Johan Coetzee, seeking clarity on technical and commercial matters. Among her concerns was the deepening of the open-pit mine.
The president also raised questions about the mine’s financial investments, social contributions and value-addition plans.
“Today, Namibia is the second-largest uranium producer in the world… We must ensure we have a national strategy to permanently benefit from these resources, even when they are depleted. That is the kind of transformation my government is pursuing,” she said.
In response, Coetzee highlighted challenges related to tariffs, international trade restrictions, and sourcing of equipment. He pointed out that global geopolitical issues and market conditions had influenced likewise operations.
“Our biggest challenge right now is more about sharing. There are problems with companies not wanting to do business with us because of policy extensions, and how sharing is handled. It’s a serious commercial issue”, he admitted.
Coetzee further said Rössing is facing challenges with sourcing equipment and maintaining international contracts, especially amid shifting global trade dynamics and import restrictions in markets such as the United States of America.
“There’s a billion dollars in the United States still this year. Those contracts are running out. We are looking for alternative sources from China or Europe. But tariffs and market dynamics remain a challenge.”
Uranium
In response, the president was unequivocal, saying Namibia must never be short-changed when it comes to its minerals.
“We are not looking at uranium for destructive purposes. We want nuclear energy for peaceful use to drive our industrialisation and development agenda. Energy is the key enabler, and uranium must help Namibia to power its future,” she said.
Turnover
During a detailed presentation to the president, Coetzee revealed that the mine recorded a total turnover of N$5.9 billion in 2024.
Although slightly lower than the N$6.48 billion achieved in 2023, the mine still generated total wealth-creation of more than N$2.16 billion, which was distributed across stakeholders including the government, employees and shareholders.
“The year 2024 marked a milestone for us as we returned to a fully-taxable earnings’ position for the first time in several years. We declared our first dividend to shareholders since 2016, and to the government, we contributed nearly N$870 million in various forms, including mining royalties, NamPower fees, export levies and current tax,” said Coetzee.
He also emphasised Rössing’s reinvestment into its operations, with N$187 million pumped back into the business in 2024 for depreciation and retained earnings.
The mine had overcome major financial challenges, thanks in part to a US$91 million premium paid by their Chinese parent company CNUC over three years to support operations, and move the business into a cash-positive and tax-paying position.
Employment figures were then shared with the president. The mine employs 871 people, of whom 98.7% are Namibians. The average cost-to-company per employee stood at N$984 000, inclusive of salaries, benefits and bonuses.
Additionally, Rössing’s contribution to communities stood strong.
He said in 2024, the mine and the Rössing Foundation collectively spent more than N$25.6 million on community development projects.
“These included the construction of a police station in Swakopmund (N$24 million), school support initiatives, rural water access through solar-powered boreholes and scholarships for pupils, as well as equipment donations to the Namibia Institute of Mining and Technology,” he added.
Business unusual
The Head of State reiterated her business unusual mantra. “Following the November 2024 Presidential and National Assembly elections, I made it explicitly clear that it shall not be business as usual. I have signed a five-year contract with the Namibian people on the basis of the promises we made in the Swapo Party manifesto.”
Mining, she stressed, is a key driver of economic transformation, particularly for the youth.
“We identified natural resources’ beneficiation as a key catalyst for economic transformation and job- creation for our young people. My presence here seeks to underscore that commitment to see to it that mining transforms the livelihoods of our people,” the seasoned diplomat said.
She praised the management of Rössing Uranium for sustaining operations during challenging periods, and commended their extension of the mine’s lifespan from 2027 to 2036.
“I welcome the extension on the life of the mine. This is in line with the government’s initiative of value-addition to sustain development,” she observed.
“The mining industry must look after their workers in terms of a living wage, accommodation, healthcare and a pension that should enable them to live a dignified life after their productive lives have come to an end”, she urged.
She then appealed for more investment in young people through jobs, scholarships, internships and entrepreneurial support.
“We want mining companies to invest in the potential of our youth and the local economies where they operate. That can only happen if the mining industry responds positively to the call of government to add value to the natural resources in our country.”
Energy
On the energy policy, the President expressed strong support for the peaceful use of uranium.
“As a government, we have adopted a mixed-energy policy. Our uranium should be used for peaceful purposes to power Namibia, and to develop our nation and the globe,” she said.