Finalise Minerals Bill, urges President

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has urged swift action to finalise Namibia’s Minerals Bill – a critical piece of legislation aimed at modernising the mining sector and boosting investment to sustain the industry’s recent growth.In a statement delivered on her behalf by Carlo McLeod, Deputy Head of the Upstream Petroleum Unit in the Presidency, Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasised the urgent need to pass the Bill.She highlighted the recommissioning of the Langer Heinrich Uranium Mine and accelerated developments at the Tumas and Etango uranium projects as signalling a new era of growth.“To fully realise this trajectory and maintain our competitive edge, we must finalise the Minerals Bill swiftly,” she said, noting that the legislation will modernise Namibia’s mining framework, making it more transparent, predictable and fit for purpose.Enacting the Bill will enhance investment attractiveness by clarifying licensing procedures, ownership structures and regulatory obligations – all key decision-making factors for both domestic and foreign investors, she explained.“More importantly, the Bill will align Namibia’s regulatory environment with global expectations for environmental stewardship, social accountability, and responsible resource governance. Its timely enactment will send a strong signal that Namibia is ready to lead in building a modern and inclusive mining sector,” Nandi-Ndaitwah added.ChangesThe Bill proposes adjustments to application costs, relaxed exclusivity provisions for reconnaissance and exploration licences, permission for small-scale mining on certain claims with mineral agreements, and an increase in the royalty cap from 5% to 10% for non-diamond minerals, in line with the existing rate for diamonds.It also mandates at least 5% Namibian ownership in mining companies, requires a portion of production to remain in-country for local value addition, and introduces mine closure financing and rehabilitation responsibilities.In addition, the Bill prohibits ministry employees from acquiring mining rights for 12 months after leaving office. A new small-scale mining permit and a mineral dealer’s licence for buying, selling, and exporting Namibian minerals will also be introduced.The Bill clarifies which levies, charges, and fees are deductible from royalty payments, addressing previous issues around inflated deductions.However, many provisions in the Bill will be shaped by the forthcoming National Equitable Economic Empowerment legislation, which is expected to define broader economic inclusion policies.The Minerals Bill is currently under parliamentary review, with stakeholders awaiting further clarity on the timeline.

Finalise Minerals Bill, urges President

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Republikein 2025-08-06

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Finalise Minerals Bill, urges President

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