Epupa mining boom displaces ‘nomadic’ communities - councillor

Epupa constituency councillor Daniel Tjimutambo Kuuoko has warned that mushrooming mining activities in the area are displacing nomadic communities.

Kuuoko said relevant authorities are allegedly issuing Exclusive Prospecting Licences (EPLs) without adequately assessing whether the areas can support both grazing and mining activities.

"The mining activities are displacing and destroying the living standards of our people," Kuuoko told Namibian Sun.

“The ministry of mines and energy is just zoning and issuing EPLs without visiting the areas to determine whether grazing for livestock and mining activities can coexist,” he said. “The occupants are nomadic people living off livestock. Most of the grassland is now earmarked for mining activities, regardless of those living there and their livestock.”

Kuuoko said meetings had been held in several villages between EPL holders and headmen at Ekungirua, Otjimuhaka, Oroutumba, Ehomba, Ohamaremba, Omuhonga and Ombuka to discuss the issue.

An EPL grants companies exclusive rights to systematically explore for specific minerals within a designated area.

The constituency councillor said minerals extracted from the area do not benefit local communities.

“EPLs must not be sold to foreigners. In my view, EPLs are being used as land grabs, displacing indigenous people and inhabitants from their areas,” he said.

Kuuoko said EPL applicants often do not visit the area, as applications are made from Windhoek.

"They never consider the situation on the ground of innocent people who are staying there since their ancestors and the EPL are allocated without the knowledge of the occupants," he claimed.

First contact

Kuuoko said EPL holders typically only visit the area for the first time when seeking a consent letter from the headman during their environmental impact assessment (EIA) application process.

He said that during such visits, money or food is often distributed.

He further alleged that when community meetings are held with rights holders to discuss EPLs, those most affected are not always invited.

"Sometimes, money given is used as a bribe and creates division and fights among headmen, conservancies and traditional authorities," Kuuoko said.

He suggested that the current system of EPL allocations should be halted and the law amended to ensure that local inhabitants are prioritised as beneficiaries.

"Some people used to apply for EPLs and never succeeded due to higher requirements and [the high costs for] consultants for EIA. Is too expensive for unemployed people."

"Requirements to be relaxed for indigenous and local people to be given a chance to benefit from their own natural resources as first occupants of those areas", Kuuoko said.

He claimed that as much as 70% of Epupa constituency’s land area of 236 171 is occupied by EPL holders, with only protected areas remaining untouched.

These figures have not been verified by the mines ministry.

He added that Epupa constituency is home to 26 491 inhabitants.