Swakop Uranium invested a total of N$26.38 million in employee training and development during 2024, reinforcing its commitment to building a highly skilled, motivated, and future-ready workforce at the Husab Mine. The investment covered bursaries, graduate programmes, technical training, and professional development initiatives to enhance operational excellence and support Namibia’s broader socio-economic goals.
Of the total amount, N$17.25 million was dedicated to in-house training programmes focused on critical operational skills, including occupational safety, regulatory compliance, mining operations, and equipment optimisation.
Other allocations included N$3 million for external expert training, N$2.88 million for graduate development, N$2.14 million for internal training, N$839,388 for self-study and trades, and N$273,278 for bursaries.
A total of 988 employees benefited from various training initiatives during the year, including operational staff and management-level employees. These programmes are part of Swakop Uranium’s ongoing strategy to cultivate continuous learning, improve performance, and ensure that its workforce meets the technical and safety standards of a world-class uranium operation.
The company’s Employee Self-Study Assistance Scheme continued to empower staff pursuing further education aligned with their career goals. In 2024, 30 employees benefited from this programme, enrolling in 27 training courses. Additionally, 15 employees attended the CGN Egret Leadership and URC International Uranium Talent Training Programme in China, a key initiative designed to enhance leadership and technical expertise through global benchmarking.
In August 2024, members of Swakop Uranium’s leadership team undertook a benchmarking exchange visit to the Haerwusu Mine in Erdos, China — Asia’s second-largest coal mine. The team studied best practices in machinery maintenance, production planning, shift management, and safety innovation, and applied these insights to strengthen operational systems at the Husab Mine.
Domestically, Swakop Uranium maintained its partnership with the Namibia Training Authority (NTA) and continued its skills competition, a platform for employees to showcase their technical abilities, teamwork, and innovation in various operational tasks. The initiative boosted morale and encouraged excellence in performance across departments.
The company also hosted an educational tour for 178 visitors, including 169 first-year engineering students from the University of Namibia’s School of Engineering. The visit provided students with practical exposure to the Husab Mine’s large-scale operations, promoting industry awareness and local capacity-building in mining and engineering disciplines.
“Training has given employees opportunities to update their skills and learn international operational standards,” said Winnie Mukupuki, a participant in Swakop Uranium’s development programmes. “These experiences have increased motivation and strengthened professional competencies.”
Swakop Uranium’s sustained investment in human capital development underscores its role as a driver of technical capacity and employment in Namibia’s mining industry. By equipping its employees with world-class skills and opportunities for growth, the company continues to support the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of the Husab Uranium Mine, Africa’s largest open-pit uranium operation.
