The Mineworkers Union of Namibia expressed full support for proposals to increase local ownership, including the possibility of a 51% Namibian stake in mining ventures.
The Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) has also issued a stern warning against what it described as “coordinated attacks” on the mines minister, following his recent remarks advocating for greater local control and beneficiation in the extractive sector.
The union said the minister’s comments were neither reckless nor misguided, but a necessary assertion of Namibia’s right to benefit from its mineral wealth.
“This is not a threat to investment—it is a demand for justice and equity,” the union declared.
The remarks in question were delivered by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy, Natangwe Ithete, during a keynote address at the 2025 Mining Expo & Conference held in Windhoek this week. Ithete announced that the government is considering a policy requiring 51% Namibian ownership in all new mining ventures.
“Namibia’s minerals are a national asset. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that the exploitation of these resources results in tangible benefits for all Namibians,” Ithete said.
The union said for too long, multinational corporations have reaped massive profits from Namibia’s natural resources, while ordinary Namibians—especially mineworkers and rural communities—remain trapped in poverty.
“The minister’s call for greater local ownership is not radical; it is a necessary correction to years of structural imbalance.”
The union acknowledged that while the mining sector has contributed to national economic growth, the benefits have accrued mainly to foreign shareholders. “Workers continue to face unsafe conditions, short-term contracts, and limited opportunities for advancement. Communities near mining operations see little of the billions earned from exports, taxes, and profits,” the statement read.
The union also criticised threats of disinvestment from certain quarters, saying these were intended to instil fear and preserve the status quo of foreign dominance. “Those who threaten disinvestment are using fear tactics to maintain a system of exploitation. Namibia must not be bullied into submission by corporate interests that place profit above people.”
MUN pledged its support for any measures—including legislative reforms—that would ensure Namibia’s minerals serve national development goals.
“Our allegiance is with the workers and the people of Namibia,” the union stated. “We commend the Honourable Minister for his principled stand and share his vision for a future rooted in sovereignty, fairness, and long-term sustainability.”
The minister’s remarks have reignited debate over ownership models and the future structure of Namibia’s mining industry, particularly in light of new policy directions under the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6).
