Namibia Mining Review

With gas and oil prices going up buying myself even a small chocolate feels like the end of the world. I'm sure many of us here can relate but South Africa might have a solution for not only our sweet tooth but more importantly solutions to the potential gas cliff.

Discover more through our latest article not only about the tactics being used by South Africa to attempt to win in this grapple with the gas crisis but also about how they might eventually be able to prove themselves one of the most important in innovating a path forward for all of us in terms of the global energy industry as a whole.

South Africa’s Looming Energy Cliff: The Urgent Imperative for a Coordinated Gas Strategy - Namibian Mining News The South African energy landscape is currently grappling with a profound sense of urgency as the nation faces a potential industrial disruption triggered by the impending depletion of natural gas supplies from Mozambique. As coal-fired power stations are decommissioned to meet environmental goals,....

NamRA Flags 95% Non-Compliance in Extractive Sector Deals

WINDHOEK – The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) has sounded a stern warning to the mining and petroleum sectors, revealing a systemic failure to declare high-value asset transfers for taxation. During a high-stakes stakeholder engagement session this week, NamRA Commissioner Sam Shivute disclosed that only 5% of the approximately 250 license-related transactions recorded over the last decade were voluntarily reported to the tax authority. The discovery follows a period of enhanced technical cooperation between NamRA and international bodies like the International Monetary Fund and the African Development Bank, which has bolstered the agency’s ability to “see” offshore deals previously hidden from local tax rolls.

This regulatory crackdown targets the sale of shares and interests in companies holding Namibian mineral and petroleum rights transactions that have historically bypassed the national treasury. While provisions to tax these gains were introduced for mining in 2011 and petroleum in 2015, the agency’s new data-driven approach has already flagged one undisclosed transaction exceeding US$100 million. NamRA officials clarified that even transactions concluded abroad between two foreign entities are subject to Namibian law if they involve a domestic asset, emphasizing that these liabilities do not prescribe and can be pursued indefinitely.

“From the data that we are having now, we’re talking about maybe about 250 licences that have been traded over a period of about 10 years, and the compliance rate, as we are saying, is only 5%,” Commissioner Sam Shivute stated at the agency’s headquarters. He urged industry players to regularize their affairs immediately, noting that NamRA’s capacity to identify previously invisible transactions has fundamentally changed the compliance landscape. “We have moved into a stage now where we are strengthening our compliance mechanisms… tax has to be paid on that,” Shivute added.

The timing of this enforcement surge is critical, as Namibia’s long-standing tax amnesty program is set to expire on October 31, 2026. The program, which offers a 100% write-off of interest and penalties for taxpayers who settle their capital debts, is being framed as the final “olive branch” before the agency pivots to stricter, non-discretionary enforcement measures. Industry representatives, including the Chamber of Mines, have raised concerns that taxing the full transaction value rather than just profit could deter exploration investment, yet NamRA remains firm on the existing legislative framework.

For the Namibian treasury, reclaiming these “lost” revenues is essential as the country positions itself as a global hub for green hydrogen and oil and gas. By building a comprehensive database of license transfers and share disposals dating back to 2011, NamRA is sending a clear signal that the era of tax-free offshore flips of Namibian resources is coming to a close. Accountants and legal specialists in the extractive space are now being urged to prioritize the voluntary disclosure of past deals to avoid the impending post-amnesty penalties.




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NamRA Flags 95% Non-Compliance in Extractive Sector Deals - Namibian Mining News WINDHOEK – The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) has sounded a stern warning to the mining and petroleum sectors, revealing a systemic failure to declare high-value asset transfers for taxation. During a high-stakes stakeholder engagement session this week, NamRA Commissioner Sam Shivute disclosed th...

Beyond the pit: why mining partnerships are being redefined

The 2026 Investing in African Mining Indaba carried a familiar public narrative: policy reform, geopolitical positioning and capital mobilisation under the banner of “Stronger Together”. Yet beyond keynote remarks and ministerial statements, a quieter conversation unfolded through technical sessions and industry exchanges.

The question was no longer whether partnerships matter, but how are they structured and what they are expected to deliver operationally.

In practical terms, partnerships are no longer just commercial arrangements. How they are structured now directly affects control, accountability and day-to-day risk across the mine lifecycle.

Industry dialogue suggests that some mining houses are recalibrating how they evaluate service providers. Cost and technical capability remain essential, but they are increasingly considered alongside integration risk, emissions implications, data transparency and governance alignment.

Mining activities such as clearing, drilling, hauling and rehabilitation do not occur in isolation. They form a continuous lifecycle. When contracted across fragmented scopes, interface risk accumulates within the mine’s control environment. When managed through integrated models, accountability becomes clearer and oversight more coherent.

This is less a procurement trend than a shift in risk discipline. Contracting structures are increasingly expected to reduce variability rather than merely allocate scope.

Much Indaba reporting centred on regulatory conditions and investment signals. At an operational level, however, resilience is determined by more granular mechanics: how consumables move, how stockpiles are managed and how haulage reliability is maintained in remote environments.

In regions characterised by extended supply lines and infrastructure constraints, supply certainty can influence production stability more directly than marginal cost efficiencies.

Cross-border operators must navigate varying regulatory frameworks, terrain conditions and transport corridors. In such contexts, coordination capability functions as a control requirement. Resilience is less about contingency response and more about intentional operating design.

In these environments, the way partnerships are structured can directly affect uptime.

An integrated model can improve visibility and coordination, while fragmented models can slow response and increase exposure.

Electrification and digitalisation dominated technology discussions. Yet practical commentary focused on whether decarbonisation pathways can coexist with uptime, safety and productivity requirements.

Fleet configuration decisions in open-cast and bulk transport environments carry emissions and efficiency implications. Staged approaches, such as hybridisation or dual-fuel strategies, are increasingly assessed against operational predictability, not aspiration alone.

Rehabilitation, too, is moving from a compliance endpoint to a lifecycle design input, particularly where closure performance must be demonstrable and auditable.

As environmental expectations tighten, mines are expecting partners to contribute to measurable performance outcomes, not just meet minimum compliance requirements.

AI and analytics remain central to mining’s digital narrative. What appears to be shifting is emphasis away from headline-driven technology adoption and toward deployment discipline and measurable outcomes.

Decision-grade visibility, i.e., cycle performance, haul-road degradation, stockpile volumes and predictive indicators, supports control and planning. However, variability in connectivity and terrain across African operations demands context-appropriate implementation.

Technology is increasingly evaluated by whether it strengthens operational governance rather than by novelty.

Service providers are expected to integrate their systems into the mine’s reporting and control environment, rather than operate in parallel.

Public statements during Indaba reinforced the importance of regulatory credibility for investment flows. At site level, governance translates into safety discipline, contractor oversight and environmental accountability.

As scrutiny intensifies, procurement models are being used to embed accountability across integrated scopes. Partnerships are being defined less by rhetoric and more by operating mechanics.

This brings the structural question into sharp focus. Governance expectations are increasingly written into contracts themselves, with clearer performance standards and reporting obligations built into the operating framework.

The enduring implication of the 2026 Indaba cycle may not lie in headline announcements, but in how mines and service providers structure responsibility across the lifecycle.

Integrated accountability, logistics resilience, emissions discipline and data transparency are increasingly treated as interconnected design elements rather than standalone initiatives.

In an environment shaped by investor scrutiny and operational complexity, partnership architecture may prove as consequential as commodity strategy.

Read story at: https://namibianminingnews.com/beyond-the-pit-why-mining-partnerships-are-being-redefined/

Beyond the pit: why mining partnerships are being redefined - Namibian Mining News By JOHN KETTLEWELL* The 2026 Investing in African Mining Indaba carried a familiar public narrative: policy reform, geopolitical positioning and capital mobilisation under the banner of “Stronger Together”. Yet beyond keynote remarks and ministerial statements, a quieter conversation unfolded th...

New Agreement To Support Uis Tin Mining Growth 🫱🏻‍🫲🏾

Uis Tin Mining, a subsidiary of Andrada Mining has extended exclusive tin offtake arrangement with a leading global tin smelter – Thailand Smelting & Refining Co. Ltd (Thaisarco).

According to the agreement Thaisarco is granted exclusivity to purchase all tin concentrate produced at UTMC’s operations, at its absolute discretion.

“This agreement is a result of the long-standing partnership we have built with Thaisarco, the strong operating performance we continue to deliver at Uis and the growing demand for tin.

“In the current robust commodity market, this extension provides greater flexibility for UTMC as we scale our operations to capitalise on market demand,” said Anthony Viljoen, Andrada Chief Executive Officer.

Thaisarco’s decision to further strengthen its relationship with Andrada, is an endorsement from a valued partner. Importantly, it underlies the significance of the Uis operation in the global tin market and demonstrates confidence in our team to achieve scale across the asset.”

In addition, Thaisarco is to advance USD3 million to provide flexibility as operations continue to scale up, the advance amount is unsecured, repayable only at the request of UTMC and does not accrue interest. And no interest accrues on the unsecured Advance Amount, and a small marketing discount is applied to future sales as detailed below

Meanwhile the agreement builds on the long-term partnership with Thaisarco.

Read story at: https://namibianminingnews.com/new-agreement-to-support-uis-tin-mining-growth/

New agreement to support Uis Tin Mining growth - Namibian Mining News Uis Tin Mining, a subsidiary of Andrada Mining has extended exclusive tin offtake arrangement with a leading global tin smelter – Thailand Smelting & Refining Co. Ltd (Thaisarco). According to the agreement Thaisarco is granted exclusivity to purchase all tin concentrate produced at UTMC’s opera...

Silver Linings: Mining Opportunities For Africa In An Unstable World

At Day 2 of Investing in African Mining Indaba in Cape Town, a lively main-stage debate unpacked whether Africa can win in today’s turbulent geopolitical climate.

Despite global headwinds—from tariffs to rising nationalism—panelists agreed that Africa holds a powerful advantage: around 40% of the world’s proven critical minerals and the youngest population globally. With demand accelerating for energy transition and advanced technologies, Africa’s resources are firmly in the global spotlight.

The key takeaway? Opportunity alone is not enough. To truly benefit, Africa must strengthen governance, policy coherence, and regional integration—from aligned regulations to shared infrastructure like regional refineries.

As moderator Rohitesh Dhawan concluded, even in times of geopolitical uncertainty, Africa remains well-positioned for growth—if the right structures are put in place.

Read full story at: https://namibianminingnews.com/silver-linings-mining-opportunities-for-africa-in-an-unstable-world/

Africa’s Mining Future Through Unity and Strategy

A powerhouse panel set the tone for Mining Indaba on 9 February 2026, bringing together the Ministers of Mines from South Africa, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, alongside CEOs from leading global mining houses including Ivanhoe, in a high-level discussion that kicked off the week’s agenda with authority and intent.

South Africa’s Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Gwede Mantashe, echoed other African governments sentiments, highlighting the contradiction of Africa’s mineral wealth coexisting with widespread poverty. He emphasised the convening power of leadership and the need to avoid a distractive race to the bottom. He said progress will come through partnerships, with investors and industry captains playing a central role.

Mantashe stressed the importance of synergy between African nations to ensure unity and competitiveness in mineral pricing, particularly for critical minerals that are increasingly central to global economic transitions. He called for Africa to assess the true impact of these minerals and define their meaning for the continent’s development, noting that commodities such as gold host other critical minerals whose global demand has grown significantly.

Capturing the data value of critical minerals and moving beyond extraction to production is now imperative. He further highlighted the Lobito Corridor as a necessary value-adding framework, with strategies emerging from the Ministerial Symposium to address shared challenges including power, rail infrastructure and regulatory alignment.

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Minister of Mines, Louis Watum Kabamba outlined a defined framework under new arrangements with the United States, focusing on specific projects and diversified partnerships. He highlighted the country’s vast endowment including an estimated 20 billion tonnes of iron ore with potential for steel production. Mega infrastructure projects, particularly railways connecting the Atlantic coast to the Indian Ocean and East African markets, were presented as transformational for regional trade, industrialisation and integration.



Zambia’s Minister of Mines Paul Chanda Kabuswe reaffirmed that the country’s mining sector is on the right trajectory, supported by sustained growth and expanding energy capacity. Hydro, coal and solar projects are being advanced to address rising energy demand from mining and industrial activity. Reiterating the 3 million tonne copper ambition, the Minister noted deepening engagement with the private sector and navigating geopolitical competition to secure value at the negotiating table. Stability and win-win partnerships remain Zambia’s guiding principles.

Ivanhoe’s Chief Executive Officer Marna Cloete underscored the importance of predictability and bankability in African mining jurisdictions, citing refurbished infrastructure in the DRC as a strong signal of progress. She advocated for a collaborative approach that balances government prerogatives with investor needs and reflects a deeper understanding of Africa’s development priorities.

In conclusion, one of the panellists noted that engagement on policy must extend beyond compliance to measurable impact. Mining must benefit communities, shareholders and host countries alike, while addressing environmental impacts responsibly





Read story at: https://namibianminingnews.com/africas-mining-future-through-unity-and-strategy/

African Mining Indaba