Windhoek: Chief Muhijamo Tjindunda of Ehomba in the Kunene Region's Epupa Constituency has expressed uncertainty about where small-scale miners in Ouroutumba Village can legally operate amid concerns over the boundaries of Gecko Mining's Exclusive Prospecting Licence (EPL).

According to Namibia Press Agency, Tjindunda, during an engagement with the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources at Ouroutumba in the Epupa Constituency on Tuesday, said the community members are struggling to understand the extent of Gecko's mining rights and how these affect their access to mineral-rich areas which they depend on for their livelihoods. He said residents have encountered people conducting mineral exploration in areas where community members traditionally access minerals, leaving them uncertain about what they are legally permitted to do.

Tjindunda stated that the community was not against mining, but wanted clarity on how mining rights were granted and how residents would benefit from mineral resources found in their area. He, however, called for Gecko's activities to be halted until disputes over mineral access and community rights are resolved. Tjindunda said the mining activities had so far not resulted in meaningful employment or socio-economic development for the community, claiming that only about three local people had been employed temporarily. He noted that some residents depend on minerals as a source of income because they do not own livestock or farms.

Isaac Murumbua, a small-scale miner at Namibia Blue Sodalite Mine, said he started mining in 2019 but was forced to stop after Gecko declared his operations illegal, despite holding an Environmental Clearance Certificate. Community members also raised concerns over denied consent letters, which they said prevented local miners from operating and benefiting from mineral resources. They also questioned a N$1 per kilogramme deduction allegedly made by Gecko from small-scale miners operating within the area, which amounts to N$1 000 per tonne.

Deputy Director of Mineral Rights in the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy, Abraham Iilende, said the ministry would investigate the concerns raised, including the N$1 deduction per kilogramme, to establish its rationale. He, however, informed the residents that the cancellation of an EPL 'is not that easy.' 'We need to investigate and explore better ways to find a solution. Our objective as ministry is to help small miners do their businesses,' he said, encouraging small-scale miners to engage the ministry's Small-Scale Miners Division directly.

Attempts to obtain comment from Gecko Mining regarding the concerns raised by the community were unsuccessful.