Windhoek: Kunene Governor Vipuakuje Muharukua has called for reforms in the small-scale mining sector to ensure local communities benefit from the region's mineral wealth. Muharukua made the remarks on Monday when he welcomed the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources, which is conducting an oversight visit to small-scale mining operations in Kunene and Erongo regions.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Muharukua highlighted that while Kunene is rich in mineral resources, its people remain impoverished and continue to face inadequate government services and limited economic opportunities. "We have a resource with a people that are poor. We have a resource with a people that are crying over it," Muharukua said.

He emphasized the need for legislation that would enable artisanal and small-scale miners to participate in exploration activities conducted by Exclusive Prospecting Licence (EPL) holders. Muharukua suggested that involving local miners in these activities could create a mutually beneficial situation. He pointed out that EPL holders often control access to mineral-rich areas, making it difficult for local miners to obtain land and mineral rights.

Additionally, Muharukua stressed the importance of ensuring local miners are aware of the minerals being extracted from their claims. He advocated for the establishment of labs to verify transactions, ensuring that local miners can accurately assess the resources being extracted from their land.

Tobie Aupindi, Chairperson of the committee, echoed Muharukua's sentiments, stating that natural resources have little significance if they do not benefit Namibians. The committee plans to evaluate policies supporting small-scale miners, focusing on areas such as licensing fees, operational structures, trading, storage, market access, and value addition.

Aupindi urged Namibia to reconsider its mining laws and policies to ensure greater local benefits from mineral resources. He criticized the current approach, stating, "We keep doing the same thing over and over. We have the same policies, we have the same laws, colonial laws, we have the same programmes, and then we expect different results. That's just not going to happen."