Husab makes itself felt

With the late June launch of its impact-broadening ‘Husab+’ commitment to expand value, ‘beyond the mine gate,’ Swakop Uranium (SU) cements its place as the Namibian mining behemoth.

Since beginning uranium production in 2016, the Husab uranium mine has become the largest open-pit uranium mine in the world, recognised as Namibia’s largest contributor to employee taxes in 2024 and the second-largest taxpayer in the country in 2025.

Total procurement last year was N$13 billion, of which more than N$9 billion was local spend. N$564 million was spent on electricity and N$563 million on water, while local contractors were paid more than N$6,27 billion last year.

The mine said that local procurement remains a cornerstone of their supply chain strategy, pointing to nearly 700 active local Namibian suppliers registered and engaged in providing services in a wide range of sectors.

In 2025, total procurement split almost three-quarters to Namibian-owned, Namibian-registered, or government-owned entities, with only 24,9% going to foreign entities and 0,1% to entities connected to the company, Swakop Uranium said.

Swakop Uranium is majority-owned by China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) and joint venture partner China-Africa Development Fund, with 10% held by Epangelo Mining.

According to chief executive officer Luo Wei, the organisation looks to “build on the strength of the past to create greater value for employees, partners, communities and Namibia at large”.

Speaking at the launch, executive vice president Irvinne Simataa said that the 2025 report is themed to reflect “both our journey and our ambition: ‘From a decade of growth to a future of possibilities.’ Husab+ represents the next chapter of our journey.”

“While uranium production remains at the heart of our business, the true measure of our success will increasingly be the broader value that we create beyond the mine gate. The 'plus' represents the additional value we seek to generate through our operations,” Simataa said.

Deputy Minister of Mines, Industries and Energy Gaudentia Kröhne said, “The success of mining cannot be measured by production alone. The real test is whether mining helps build national capability. Sustainability must not be treated as something separate from mining operations,” Kröhne said.

Representing CGN senior leadership, Liu Haijun said Namibia is a strategic pillar in the Chinese company's international ambitions and that “Husab is a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative.”

He said the mine, built with what he described as the single biggest Chinese foreign direct investment into Africa at approximately N$92 billion, “contributes to a closer China-Africa community and a shared future.”

Swakop Uranium has become a “model of responsible overseas investment” for China, he said, and demonstrated CGN's commitment to “building shared prosperity and a better future for all.”

Liu said CGN would further develop Swakop Uranium into a model of “high-quality overseas development. We will write a new chapter of China-Africa friendship.”

Also speaking at the launch, Erongo region governor Nathalia /Goagoses said she welcomed the idea of Husab+ as a forward-looking concept. “For me, the ‘plus’ must mean that the value of Husab continues to expand beyond production. It must mean more skills for Namibians, more opportunities for local businesses, stronger communities, innovation, responsible environmental management and deeper partnership with government and stakeholders.”