Swakopmund: Mining companies operating in the Erongo Region invested well over N.dollars 160 million in community development, education, healthcare, and skills training over the past financial year, Erongo Governor Natalia /Goagoses said on Wednesday.

According to Namibia Press Agency, R¶ssing Uranium accounted for N.dollars 73.5 million, she highlighted. The company invested over N.dollars 46 million in community development and N.dollars 27.5 million in training, vocational education, internships, bursaries, and graduate development programmes, /Goagoses said in her second State of the Region Address (SORA) delivered in Swakopmund.

'Mining companies continued to make substantial contributions to community development, education, healthcare, youth empowerment, and skills development,' /Goagoses said.

Navachab Gold Mine is funding an N.dollars 80 million medical centre in Karibib and has allocated N.dollars 3.5 million for an SME park in Usakos, she said.

Swakop Uranium's Husab Mine allocated N.dollars 3 million to an agricultural revolving scheme through its Hope Farm Project, distributing 1,000 goats and sheep to 48 resettled farmers, while also funding an IT laboratory at Petrus Ganeb Secondary School in Uis.

Langer Heinrich Uranium donated six ambulances to the Directorate of Health and committed N.dollars 2 million to the Omaruru Technical and Vocational Education and Training Centre, while Orano Mining Namibia supported student bursaries, community infrastructure, and environmental conservation programmes.

/Goagoses said Bannerman Resources further supported environmental organisations and youth development programmes benefiting more than 400 learners, while Deep Yellow Mining supported schools through classroom furniture, sports facilities, and environmental projects.