B2Gold’s Otjikoto Mine, located in Namibia’s Otjozondjupa Region, has been a major contributor to national gold output since it began production in 2014. Operated by B2Gold Namibia, a subsidiary of the Canadian-listed B2Gold Corp, the mine has grown its influence beyond gold extraction through extensive support for local development, environmental projects, and agricultural innovation.
In its Namibian operations, B2Gold has focused on rehabilitating land adjacent to the mine by transforming degraded areas into productive agricultural zones.
One of the flagship initiatives is the Otjikoto Biomass Project, designed to convert invasive bush into biomass fuel while restoring overgrazed terrain.
This work also supports the development of biofuel markets and equips residents with training in bush harvesting and sustainable farming, effectively repurposing underutilised land into arable farmland.
The company has invested in conservation agriculture techniques, working alongside regional agricultural offices and community groups.
These efforts have helped improve soil fertility, boost crop resilience, and diversify agrarian output.
Since 2021, more than N$50 million has been invested in farming support, covering infrastructure like irrigation systems and fencing, land preparation, and community training.
The Otjikoto Nature Reserve, a 7,200-hectare conservation buffer around the mine, incorporates sustainable land use methods and agroecological pilot plots.
Within this reserve, smallholder farmers test agroforestry and other land rehabilitation strategies, supported by biodiversity monitoring and environmental assessments.
B2Gold’s support for farming and conservation efforts also contributes to employment and food security.
The removal of encroaching bush through the biomass project helps regenerate land while generating energy and creating jobs for nearby communities.
According to B2Gold’s 2024 Responsible Mining Report, the company committed approximately US$12.8 million globally to community development, including its initiatives in Namibia.
A significant share of these funds at Otjikoto supported programmes in the education, healthcare, and agricultural sectors, aligning with both B2Gold’s sustainability targets and Namibia’s development priorities.
Education remains a primary focus, with investments in classroom construction, school materials, and scholarships for students pursuing careers in mining, geology, and engineering.
These programmes aim to strengthen the pipeline of Namibian professionals entering technical sectors.
On the healthcare front, B2Gold has supported mobile health units in rural areas near the Otjikoto operation. These clinics offer a range of services, including general check-ups, maternal care, and vaccinations.
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the company also contributed personal protective equipment and medical supplies to local health authorities.
B2Gold reported that in 2024, it paid US$564 million in taxes and royalties across its global operations.
A portion of this was allocated to the Namibian government through taxes, levies, and royalty payments. The company also disbursed US$283 million in salaries and benefits to its workforce, including employees and contractors in Namibia.
The Otjikoto Mine has received industry accolades for its contributions to local socio-economic development.
In 2023, the Namibia Chamber of Mines recognised B2Gold Namibia for its leadership in environmental and community investment practices.
With production at Otjikoto scheduled to wind down by 2031, B2Gold has begun implementing its closure plan for the mine.
This includes environmental restoration, workforce transition support, and ongoing monitoring of community projects.
The company is assessing how to extend the lifespan of social and agricultural programmes beyond the mine’s operation period.
B2Gold Namibia continues to engage with local government, traditional leaders, and civil society to ensure its initiatives remain relevant and impactful. Emphasis is now being placed on capacity building, entrepreneurship, and rural infrastructure in preparation for life after mining.
The Otjikoto Mine exemplifies B2Gold’s approach to responsible operations, adhering to global sustainability benchmarks, including the Global Reporting Initiative and the World Gold Council’s Responsible Gold Mining Principles.
Community initiatives are managed by the company’s Community Relations unit and monitored by its corporate sustainability office.
This structured model, based on consultation, planning, and long-term impact tracking, is used across B2Gold’s international sites, including projects in Colombia and the Philippines.
In Namibia, B2Gold’s long-term legacy is being shaped not just by its gold output, but also by the social and environmental investments it leaves behind.
