Kunene Mining Sector Faces Investment and Exploration Challenges

By: Elizabeth Naftal

The Kunene Region continues to face challenges in attracting mining investment, with barriers to exploration, limited resources for small-scale miners and access to land identified as obstacles to unlocking its mineral potential.

These issues were highlighted at the inaugural Kunene Regional Mining Summit in Opuwo, which began on Wednesday and concludes on Friday under the theme “Fostering an Enabling Environment for Sustainable Mining and Inclusive Economic Growth”.

Responding to questions by Business Pulse 360, Chamber of Mines of Namibia, Chief Executive Officer, Fabian Shaanika, said discussions highlighted both the investment opportunities in the region and the challenges preventing them from being realized.

Shaanika identified greenfield exploration and small-scale mining as areas with investment potential, stating that local businesses could benefit by supplying services required by exploration companies, allowing them to participate in the mining value chain.

He added that Kunene Region also has potential for tourism and renewable energy generation, offering opportunities for investment beyond mining.

Shaanika described access to land and small-scale mining as very important to the region’s development. Addressing these issues could help create conditions for more exploration, mining activity and local business participation.

Small-scale miners also face practical constraints, including limited funding, equipment shortages and poor road access, which can prevent them from developing their mining claims into active operations.

According to the CEO, the summit should produce a clearly defined roadmap, with ambitious timelines and designated responsibilities, to address the five main obstacles identified during discussions.

Shaanika said he would like the summit to produce a clearly defined roadmap with ambitious timelines and designated people responsible for addressing the five main obstacles identified during the discussions, adding that, this would provide a practical way forward for tackling the challenges affecting mining development in Kunene Region.