Namibia’s cabinet has approved a national policy for mining in protected areas and backed an African Union mineral initiative. During its July 28 meeting, the government endorsed sustainable prospecting rules and authorized the signing of the African Mineral Development Center statute, according to the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology.
Namibia has formalized new rules for resource extraction in its most vulnerable ecosystems. According to a statement released on Friday by the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, the country’s cabinet approved a national policy governing prospecting and mining in protected and environmentally sensitive regions during its 24th meeting on July 28.
Balancing Environmental Integrity in Sensitive Areas
The newly approved framework targets a delicate balance between industrial extraction and ecological preservation. According to Minister of Information and Communication Technology Emma Theofelus, the policy aims to promote integrated and sustainable prospecting and mining practices that maintain environmental integrity and avoid degradation of highly sensitive areas.
Mining remains a cornerstone of the Namibian economy. The country produces a range of vital minerals, including uranium, diamonds, gold, and zinc. The cabinet’s decision seeks to shield fragile habitats from irreversible harm while allowing economic activity to continue under stricter, integrated environmental standards.
Endorsing the African Mineral Development Center
Alongside the domestic mining policy, the cabinet backed a broader continental strategy. Officials approved the signing of the statute for the African Mineral Development Center (AMDC), a specialized agency of the African Union designed to foster cooperation in the mineral sector and support the sustainable development of Africa’s natural resources.
The decision authorizes Namibia’s minister of international relations and trade to sign the statute on behalf of the government, though the move remains subject to subsequent ratification by Parliament, according to Theofelus. The cabinet noted that the AMDC is mandated to implement the African Mining Vision, an overarching policy framework that pushes for industrialization, value addition, and broader socio-economic development derived from the continent’s mineral wealth.
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