Namibia signs MoU for mining sector improvement
The platform is for Namibia, Tanzania and India as developing countries, to learn from each other in the mining sector.
The ministry of environment and tourism and the Centre of Science and Environment (CSE) of India on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to improve environmental and social aspects of the mining sector of Namibia.
The MoU, signed by permanent secretary Malan Lindeque and CSE deputy director-general Chandra Bhushan aims to do so through south-south cooperation until 2021.
Bhushan emphasised that the platform is for Namibia, Tanzania and India as developing countries, to learn from each other in the mining sector.
Some of the recommendations suggested in the policy agenda include the adoption of guidelines and manuals for the local mining sector to ensure effective and smart compliance in terms of environment, health, safety, audit and inspections.
“Namibia is well-known for its national biodiversity. Currently, the environment assessment process does not cover the impact of biodiversity. Therefore, there is a need to strike a balance between biodiversity and mineral resources,” says the policy framework.
It further emphasises that there is a need for proper categorisation of mines as currently the Mining Act only defines mining claims for small-scale mines and has no definition for medium- and large-scale mines.
In terms of socio-economic benefits, it recommends that Namibia should explore the possibility of introducing a mandatory concept of corporate social responsibility, as currently it is carried out by companies on voluntary basis.
“Although Namibia has enacted a number of laws for the socio-economic development of local communities, it can learn from Tanzania’s mining act, which mandates the submission of a local content play by all mines,” it states.
The policy further recommends the need to strengthen the land acquisition process, which will ensure that no irrigated multi-crop area can be acquired for mining, unless as a last resort, and that provision is made for a public hearing with the affected community.
CSE is a public interest research advocacy organisation which advocates for and communicates the urgency of development that is both sustainable and equitable. - Nampa
The MoU, signed by permanent secretary Malan Lindeque and CSE deputy director-general Chandra Bhushan aims to do so through south-south cooperation until 2021.
Bhushan emphasised that the platform is for Namibia, Tanzania and India as developing countries, to learn from each other in the mining sector.
Some of the recommendations suggested in the policy agenda include the adoption of guidelines and manuals for the local mining sector to ensure effective and smart compliance in terms of environment, health, safety, audit and inspections.
“Namibia is well-known for its national biodiversity. Currently, the environment assessment process does not cover the impact of biodiversity. Therefore, there is a need to strike a balance between biodiversity and mineral resources,” says the policy framework.
It further emphasises that there is a need for proper categorisation of mines as currently the Mining Act only defines mining claims for small-scale mines and has no definition for medium- and large-scale mines.
In terms of socio-economic benefits, it recommends that Namibia should explore the possibility of introducing a mandatory concept of corporate social responsibility, as currently it is carried out by companies on voluntary basis.
“Although Namibia has enacted a number of laws for the socio-economic development of local communities, it can learn from Tanzania’s mining act, which mandates the submission of a local content play by all mines,” it states.
The policy further recommends the need to strengthen the land acquisition process, which will ensure that no irrigated multi-crop area can be acquired for mining, unless as a last resort, and that provision is made for a public hearing with the affected community.
CSE is a public interest research advocacy organisation which advocates for and communicates the urgency of development that is both sustainable and equitable. - Nampa
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