Sinomine Tsumeb Smelter defends appointment of Chinese managers

Sinomine Tsumeb Smelter has defended its recent appointment of an all-Chinese team, including a human resources officer, arguing that around 98% of its 600 employees at the smelter are Namibians.Social media was abuzz this week after an organogram of Sinomine Tsumeb Smelter's executive committee structure – featuring only Chinese nationals – was leaked, following the company's release of an internal memo welcoming new employees to its team.Sinomine acquired the Tsumeb smelter in September from Dundee Precious Metals.Namibian Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) economic commissar Michael Amushelelo took to social media earlier this week, writing: “Namibians, when we have a weak and pathetic government, you must expect foreigners to take advantage of our country. The Chinese bought Tsumeb from Dundee and the entire management is just Chinese.”Amushelelo said the fact the team received permits to work in the country for tasks that could be performed by Namibians was “laughable".On Thursday, Amushelelo posted a follow-up, saying he and NEFF leader Epafras Mukwiilongo had undertaken a visit to the company. "We asked whether the new Chinese investors won’t be cutting corners like other Chinese companies; they have assured us that they continue to adhere to strict safety and environmental standards. We are pleased with the open and transparent [manner] that Sinomine Tsumeb Smelter accorded us as well as the hospitality."Many Namibians joined the conversation this week, questioning how non-technical positions, such as those of the human resource officer, assistant accountant and administration officer, were filled by Chinese nationals and why the government had allegedly granted work permits for roles that could be performed by Namibians.Fully compliantTo this, Sinomine Tsumeb's manager for communications Alina Garises told Namibian Sun yesterday that since Sinomine took over from Dundee about two months ago, operations and processes at the company have shifted from the old way of doing things – hence the appointment of new officials to help facilitate the transition. “The new colleagues introduced in our internal memo have been seconded from the Sinomine Resources Group’s corporate head office to help integrate the smelter into the group and align its processes and systems with the group's practices,” Garises explained.She said the "seconded colleagues visited the site whilst on valid work visas to familiarise themselves with the operation. They are currently outside of the country while we are progressing [with] the application process for their work permits," she noted.“There is a significant effort required to integrate the Tsumeb operation into the overall organisational culture and way of working of the new owners. These colleagues will play a crucial role in this process and Sinomine is fully compliant with the country’s employment regulations and committed to positively contribute to the local economy with intentions to enhance the copper business and the introduction of new project initiatives, namely the cesium and germanium projects,” Garises added.Sinomine also issued a press statement in which the company explained that the new structure of its executive committee team comes as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to operational excellence, sustainable growth and commitment to diversity and inclusion.Committed to employment regulationsGarises said the executive team of Sinomine consists of six Namibians and three foreigners, including CEO Logan Yonggang Lou.Lou said the company is committed to adhering to all conditions set by the Namibian Competition Commission, including compliance with employment regulations.He added that only three of the nominated team members seconded from the group’s corporate head office form part of the executive management team.“The other colleagues will serve as an additional resource on a secondment basis. We are committed to enhancing our copper business and introducing new project initiatives, namely the cesium and germanium projects. These efforts are anticipated to create further employment opportunities for Namibians, contributing positively to the local economy,” he said.Ministry respondsResponding to a Namibian Sun enquiry yesterday, home affairs and immigration ministry executive director Etienne Maritz said out of 10 Chinese nationals depicted in the Sinomine Tsumeb Smelter organogram, only four have been issued with employment permits by the ministry.Maritz said these four individuals hold valid employment permits that were issued in compliance with the relevant immigration laws and regulations of the country.The remaining six individuals listed on the organogram, he said, are not employed at Sinomine Tsumeb Smelter.“Instead, they were sent to Namibia to attend business meetings on behalf of Sinomine Hong Kong, the parent company based in Hong Kong, China. The six were issued visitor's entry visas for purposes of attending business meetings by the Namibian Embassy in Beijing, China, to engage in business discussions, technical assessments, and other related activities,” he explained.Maritz said the ministry is committed to promoting local employment and ensuring that employment permits are issued in accordance with Namibian laws and policies, which prioritise the employment of qualified Namibian citizens.He added that the ministry followed the proper channels in issuing employment permits for those positions that required specialised expertise and skills not readily available locally.“Furthermore, according to our records, two of the six individuals who were issued with visitor's entry visas to conduct business meetings have already left Namibia, and the remaining four are scheduled to depart today (Thursday),” he said.– tuyeimo@nmh-hub.com.na

Sinomine Tsumeb Smelter defends appointment of Chinese managers

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-17

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Sinomine Tsumeb Smelter defends appointment of Chinese managers

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-17

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