From Arandis roots to mining leadership: Shaanika returns to industry’s forefront

Fabian Akwenye Shaanika (51) has returned to the mining sector in a major way, taking the reins as chief executive officer (CEO) of the Chamber of Mines of Namibia from 1 May 2026.

Taking over from long-serving CEO Veston Malango, Shaanika – a son of Arandis who grew up in a town shaped by the nearby Rössing uranium mine – now leads one of Namibia’s most influential industry representative bodies.

The father of three, who has been married for 11 years to a wife who is also a geologist, still remembers the way mining united the diverse community where he grew up. “The mine identity was the unifier. Everybody could identify and associate with it, and it transcended all other differences,” he recalls. “The institution was the glue and the common theme of the town.”

Early days

As a Standard 10 learner at Deutsche Oberschule in Swakopmund (now Namib High), Shaanika obtained a scholarship to complete his high school education at the United World College of the Atlantic in Wales from the Rössing Foundation. With support from the Rössing mine, continued his studies in the United Kingdom at the University of Leeds and later Durham University.

After graduating as a petroleum exploration geophysicist in the late 1990s, he spent the next decade building his career as a geologist at Debmarine Namibia. He later joined Skorpion Zinc, where he became chief geologist at the renowned open-pit base-metal operation.

“Eventually I wanted more than just being on the mine, so I went to Stellenbosch to begin my transition into the finance sector,” he says, referring to completing his Master of Business Administration qualification.

He returned to Namibia and joined Namdeb, where he worked for two years. However, his ambition to deepen his financial knowledge remained.

“I never forgot my ambition to learn about finance,” he says.

He later joined Standard Bank’s business banking division before moving to RMB, where he combined his mining experience with natural resources and energy investment banking.

After five years in banking, Shaanika moved into entrepreneurship, joining Kelp Blue as managing director, where he gained experience in innovation and building a business from the ground up. “When the opportunity at the Chamber opened up, it was a natural progression,” he says.

A natural opportunity

The Chamber of Mines of Namibia has represented the country’s mining industry for decades. It was established in 1969 as the Association of Mining Companies of South West Africa, and became the Chamber of Mines of South West Africa/Namibia in 1979. It adopted its current name in January 1990.

Shaanika says the chamber plays a critical role in supporting a sector that remains central to Namibia’s economy.

“The chamber embodies a driver of success, commanding stakeholder trust. One way of building trust is being consistent and delivering results,” he says. “Build trust, be consistent and deliver,” he adds, describing it as a key principle for success.

He says the chamber’s credibility extends beyond Namibia’s borders. “Historically, the chamber has always delivered and remained transparent; open for dialogue, challenging and speaking out when needed,” he says. “The chamber is constantly driving the industry and the country forward.”

Shaanika emphasises the importance of cooperation between the chamber, government and other stakeholders. “We are building on legacy. Progression only happens when there is dialogue. As long as our objective is aligned, we know what we want to achieve. Conversations then become the path to get there, and difficult conversations in between are just standard procedure.”

Changing landscape

Shaanika says Namibia’s mining sector must adapt to changing global demands while recognising that minerals are finite resources. “Don’t lose sight of the fact that it is a non-renewable industry,” he says.

He notes that the industry has changed significantly since his school days. “Industry leaders look different from when I was a high-school kid. As the mining landscape changes, so too does the world.”

He points to the growing importance of minerals needed for new technologies. “Ten, 15 years ago, not many people spoke about battery minerals,” he says. “Focus areas are also changing.”

Shaanika says mining companies must remain globally competitive by improving efficiency while ensuring that communities benefit from the sector. “To remain competitive, we have to drive down average production costs. Meanwhile, how do you address unemployment and build associated industries for inputs into the value chain and downstream industries?”

He says mining towns should develop broader economic ecosystems rather than depend only on mine employment. “Look at mining towns where there is much activity beyond going into the mine. We need to see the full picture of the ecosystem.”

While new mining projects can contribute significantly to GDP, he cautions that they do not always create large numbers of jobs. “Mining will continue to impact growth,” he says.

Namibia, he adds, is fortunate to have a diverse mineral base. “Namibia is very fortunate as a country, with a portfolio of minerals in our basket and lots of tools packed into our toolbox.”

Looking to the future

Shaanika believes Namibia is entering an important period for mining, driven by global demand and developments such as green energy. “If we fast-forward through the years, mining in Namibia will still feature,” he says. “For as long as I can remember, this is when we enjoy the most tailwind we have ever experienced.”

However, he warns that opportunities must be matched with decisive action. “We really are in a good space thanks to global demand and topical developments like sustainability and green energy. We need to uplift economic conditions, and although there are definitely tailwinds, we need to decide on the routes to take.”

He says policy decisions around issues such as minerals legislation, beneficiation and economic empowerment will influence the sector’s future. “Tailwinds won’t be there forever, so there is a need for swift, determined and deliberate decision-making. Sometimes there is a window of opportunity, and I think that window is now.”

Shaanika believes Namibia’s mining sector can play a larger role in regional development. “If you look at our geographical location, Namibia is the gateway to the world, and mining makes its contribution to improve and upgrade the infrastructure needed to keep that gateway open.”

He says the country should continue exploring opportunities to develop regional supply chains linked to mining. “There is no reason why we don’t have regional hubs where inputs come from the mining industry. Namibia can offer that.”

Looking ahead, Shaanika sees the Chamber of Mines continuing to evolve over the next decade. “There will be natural changes with time, and we must adapt to the times, but I see a chamber that continues to contribute to GDP and remains a national cornerstone.

“We have a strong and positive legacy, and we must build on that. It would have grown to become a more prominent voice in the policy landscape of the Namibian economy. I think it will be bigger,” he says.