Africa-Press – Namibia. The power and potential of small-scale miners in Namibia should not be underestimated.
They have carried communities, such as Uis, through economic hardship and now deserve to be fully empowered and integrated into the mainstream mining sector.
These were the remarks of Tekla Mutero, president of the Emerging Miners Association of Namibia.
Uis became a ghost town primarily because of the closure of the Uis Tin Mine in the early 1990s, which triggered an economic and social collapse in the area.
However, the Erongo Regional Council is on the path to re-classify Uis as a town council. The council is currently implementing a five- to ten-year infrastructure development plan for Uis, focusing on formalising informal areas, upgrading roads and improving water and sewer systems. Land has already been earmarked for housing, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), retail and industrial development. Mutero was speaking during the investors’ conference on Friday. With the rich mineral deposits around Uis and the emergence of new mining companies around the small town, she said small miners should not be left behind.
“When major mining companies shut down and left Uis behind, it was the small miners who stepped up and kept the town going. Years later, they are still digging – and calling for support to help turn their hard work into lasting growth,” she said.
Mutero added that small-scale miners deserve recognition for keeping the local economy afloat when things fell apart and the town was downgraded to a village council.
“They have potential. If we support them now, they can carry this whole country,” she said.
She believes the sector can contribute meaningfully to the national economy if small miners are formalised, equipped and given access to markets and funding.
“We’ve moved from digging with picks and shovels to training in Japan and Russia. Our people know the value of what they mine. We are producing semi-precious stones and working with critical minerals like lithium and fluorite,” Mutero said. She added that the major obstacle now is the lack of machinery and investment, as mining, unlike planting a seed, needs planning, equipment and money to grow.
“We don’t want handouts. We want support, access to finance and proper business partners. Mining is no longer for grandfathers. It’s about innovation, jobs and technology. Why should we send our minerals away raw when we can build factories right here and create jobs?” she asked.
Also speaking at the conference, the chief regional officer of the Erongo Regional Council Sam Ntelamo said Uis is slowly being shaped into a fully-fledged town, supported by proper infrastructure and development planning.
“We have learnt from the past. This time, there will be no rush. We’re putting planning first,” he said.
Ntelamo stated that the regional council is already working on upgrading roads, improving water and sewer systems as well as formalising informal settlements. “We don’t want Uis to turn into another shack settlement. Our vision is a model town with proper housing and services – a place people can be proud to live in,” he said.
Ntelamo revealed that the council has identified land for housing, SME development as well as retail and industry, and is encouraging private investment.
“People always ask what’s happening in Uis. The truth is, a lot is already happening – but we still need more. We need banks, proper shops, housing and jobs,” he said.
He highlighted the infrastructure blueprint, which will guide Uis’ transformation into a local authority.
“We are not handing over Uis without a plan. Before we declare it a town, there will be a clear roadmap for development. Investors will know exactly what they’re walking into,” Ntelamo said.
He pledged the council’s full support to small miners and local entrepreneurs.
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